VINAGRI News - Vietnam’s frozen pangasius fillets have become one of the top three best-selling whitefish products in the US, maintaining steady growth despite trade barriers and quality standards. The product’s strong position underscores Vietnam’s dominance in this market segment and its expanding global reach.
Summary:
> The US is among the world’s largest and fastest-growing whitefish markets.
> US imports of whitefish reached over USD 1.1 billion in the first seven months of 2025, up 42% year-on-year.
> Vietnam’s frozen pangasius fillets ranked third among whitefish imports to the US, with nearly USD 230 million in value.
> The US is Vietnam’s second-largest pangasius market, after China.
> Exports to the US reached USD 234 million in the first eight months, up 4% year-on-year.
> ASC-certified pangasius farms worldwide (58 farms) are all based in Vietnam.
> Exports to CPTPP countries surged 36% and to ASEAN markets by around 30% in the first eight months of 2025.
Frozen pangasius fillets from Vietnam have become a popular choice among American consumers, appearing widely across major supermarket chains in the United States.
The US is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing whitefish markets. According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), US whitefish imports totaled over USD 1.1 billion in the first seven months of this year, a 42% increase compared with the same period last year.
Among the main whitefish species consumed in the US - tilapia, cod, and pangasius - frozen pangasius fillets ranked third in import value, reaching nearly USD 230 million, after frozen tilapia fillets (USD 262 million) and frozen cod fillets (over USD 260 million).
Vietnam remains the largest supplier of frozen pangasius fillets to the US, accounting for almost the entire market share. Although China also exports pangasius to the US, its volume is minimal. This makes Vietnamese pangasius the third best-selling whitefish product in the US market.
According to Vietnam Customs, the US continues to be a leading market for Vietnamese pangasius, with exports reaching USD 234 million in the first eight months of 2025, up 4% year-on-year. The US is Vietnam’s second-largest single export market, after China.
Despite facing retaliatory tariffs, technical barriers, and strict quality requirements, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the US still recorded positive growth, demonstrating a solid foothold in this high-value market.
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) emphasized that the US remains a key strategic market for pangasius, given its high value, stringent standards, and global influence. Sustaining growth amid complex trade and quality challenges shows that Vietnamese pangasius is strengthening its position in the mid- to high-end segment.
Together with the EU, the US market continues to serve as a stable and high-standard destination, requiring Vietnamese producers to consistently enhance product quality to maintain market share.
According to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), as of 2024, all 58 ASC-certified pangasius farms worldwide are located in Vietnam, with a combined output of over 210,000 tonnes. ASC-certified Vietnamese pangasius products are now exported to more than 60 countries.
Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, a pangasius market specialist at VASEP, noted that exports to CPTPP countries reached USD 242 million in the first eight months of 2025, up 36% year-on-year, driven by tariff advantages and shifting consumer preferences toward safe, convenient foods. Japan, Canada, and Mexico are among the key growth markets.
Meanwhile, exports to ASEAN markets also posted strong growth: Thailand USD 52 million (+31%), the Philippines USD 26 million (+31%), supported by geographical proximity, lower logistics costs, and similar consumer tastes. The ASEAN region is becoming a promising market, helping Vietnam diversify and reduce reliance on major destinations.
Overall, Vietnam’s pangasius exports totaled USD 1.4 billion in the first eight months of 2025, up 10% compared with the same period last year. In addition to the US, CPTPP and ASEAN markets continue to drive strong growth for this key Vietnamese seafood export.
NPK/Vinagri News
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