Photo: VASEP/FIS

Beyond Farming: Vietnam's Unique Grip on the Global Pangasius Industry

VIET NAM
Thursday, July 03, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Vietnam's Undisputed Leadership in the Global Pangasius Value Chain.

HANOI – While pangasius is now farmed in various countries, Vietnam stands alone in having cultivated a comprehensive global industry around this resilient catfish. For the past two decades, Vietnamese pangasius has been a cornerstone of seafood exports, commanding over 95% of the global commercial market share, as reported by Ms. Thu Hang, Editor, Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Despite efforts by nations like India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, and China to develop their own pangasius farming, Vietnamese produce remains the preferred choice for major international importers. This preference stems not merely from habit, but from Vietnam's complete value chain, strict adherence to international standards, and synchronized industry strategy.

Vietnam unequivocally leads the world in pangasius production and export. Annually, its commercial output ranges between 1.5 and 1.7 million tons, generating an average export turnover of $1.6 to $2.3 billion. The nation currently supplies more than 90% of the world's frozen pangasius fillets. In contrast, other producers, such as India (with 300,000-400,000 tons/year), Bangladesh, or Egypt, primarily serve their domestic markets or export raw products to less demanding destinations, solidifying Vietnam's irreplaceable position in the global pangasius supply chain.

Optimal Natural Conditions and Concentrated Farming

The Mekong Delta is recognized as the world's largest "pangasius granary," boasting tens of thousands of hectares dedicated to specialized farming. Provinces like Dong Thap, An Giang, Can Tho, and Vinh Long benefit from a rich hydrological system, stable water sources, and a consistently favorable climate—conditions many other pangasius farming nations lack. Vietnam also leads in controlling input water quality through advanced environmental monitoring and early warning systems, mitigating disease risks in fish farming.

A Complete, Closed, and Transparent Value Chain

A key factor in Vietnamese pangasius's strong market foothold is its closed value chain. This encompasses everything from seed production, feed manufacturing, farming, and processing, to distribution and traceability. Major enterprises like Vinh Hoan, Nam Viet, IDI, and Bien Dong Seafoods have invested in comprehensive ecosystems, which helps reduce costs, control quality, and enhance product value. This integrated chain model ensures a stable supply, guarantees food hygiene and safety, and meets uniform requirements for fish size, meat color, and fillet texture—challenges still faced by producers in countries like Bangladesh or Indonesia.

International Certification: The "Visa" to High-End Markets

Hundreds of Vietnamese pangasius farming areas and processing factories hold prestigious international certifications, including ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council), BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices), GlobalG.AP, ISO 22000, HACCP, and BRC. These certifications serve as a crucial "visa," allowing products to easily penetrate discerning markets such as the EU, the United States, Japan, Korea, and major international supermarket chains like Carrefour, Costco, Metro, and Whole Foods.

Diverse Products and Competitive Edge

Beyond frozen fillets, Vietnam has developed a remarkably diverse pangasius product portfolio, including cut pangasius, fish balls, fish cakes, rolls, packaged grilled fish, frozen steamed fish, pangasius oil, and collagen. By-products like fish skin, bladders, and fat are fully utilized for animal feed, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, increasing the added value of each ton of processed pangasius by 15-20%—a significant advantage over competitors who often sell raw or fail to exploit the fish's full potential.

Vietnam's intensive farming processes, strict feed control, modern technology, and large-scale production ensure stable, competitive production costs while maintaining high quality and food safety. In contrast, pangasius from countries like India may be cheaper due to lower labor costs, but often suffer from uneven meat quality, non-standardized sizes, and less appealing color, hindering their penetration into European and North American markets.

National Support and Clear Export Orientation

The Vietnamese Government actively supports the industry through its green transformation strategy, sustainable fisheries development by 2030, digitalization in traceability, geographical indication registration, and market expansion via free trade agreements (FTAs). These transparent policies, clear export orientation, and continuous upgrading of technical standards have bolstered trust among international import partners, reinforcing Vietnamese pangasius's position as Asia's "seafood gateway" to the world.

In an increasingly competitive global landscape, Vietnamese pangasius not only maintains its position but continually elevates its standards. This success is the result of a well-invested industry with a long-term vision and a clear commitment to quality. From modern farming ecosystems and deep processing capabilities to stringent quality control and supportive national policies, all these factors have forged an irreplaceable "Vietnamese Pangasius" brand on the world seafood map.

Swai, panga or basa are the common commercial names for the same 'pangasius' fish

Choosing Vietnamese pangasius means choosing reliability, value, and sustainability—a smart decision in a world increasingly focused on food safety, green development, and clear traceability. It is no coincidence that the global market has placed its trust in Vietnamese pangasius for nearly three decades, a trend expected to continue.

According to Vietnam Customs, pangasius export turnover for May 2025 reached $189 million, a 12% increase over the same period last year. Cumulative pangasius exports for the first five months of 2025 hit $829 million, up 11% compared to the same period in 2024.

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