Vietnam’s pangasius exports grew in the first half of 2026, led by China and CPTPP demand. What does this shift mean for the market?

Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached $205 million in June 2026, up 5% from the same month in 2025. Export value for the first six months totaled $1.1 billion, up 12% year on year. Growth came mainly from China and CPTPP markets, while shipments to the United States and Brazil kept falling.

The June figures show a split market for Vietnamese pangasius. Buyers in China and CPTPP countries are taking more frozen fillets and other processed products, while demand in the U.S. and Brazil is weaker. That mix matters because it points to a shift in where Vietnam can place volume as traditional Western markets cool.

The Colombia data adds another layer. Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Colombia rose 48% in the first five months of 2026, according to Meksea Connection. That suggests Latin America is taking a larger share of Vietnamese supply, even if the market is still smaller than China or the U.S.

The market reports from 2026 point in the same direction, even if they differ on size. Business Research Insights said the global pangasius market stood at $2.93 billion in 2026 and projected growth to $5.11 billion. Persistence Market Research put the 2026 market value at $1.2 billion and said it would reach $1.5 billion by 2033, with a 3.0% compound annual growth rate. The gap shows how differently firms size the market, but both reports point to growth in demand.

Exporters with exposure to China and CPTPP markets are benefiting from the stronger sales mix. Producers tied to the United States and Brazil face weaker demand and more pressure on pricing and margins.

Colombia is becoming a more visible outlet for frozen pangasius products. That helps diversify sales, but it does not replace the scale of the U.S. market.

Track Vietnam’s export data for July and August 2026 to see if China and CPTPP demand holds. Watch U.S. and Brazil shipment trends for signs of further decline.

How long can Vietnam keep growth going if U.S. and Brazil orders stay weak?

Sources:

• https://mekseaconnection.com/vietnam-pangasius-exports-to-colompia-grow-48
• https://www.businessresearchinsights.com/market-reports/pangasius-market-118308
• https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/pangasius-market.asp
• https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1349848/Vietnam-Pangasius-Exports-Rise-in-2025-as-Brazil-EU-and-CPTPP-Markets-Drive-Growth
• https://fseafoods.com/april-2026-pangasius-prices-and-specifications
• https://seafood.vasep.com.vn/key-seafood-sectors/pangasius/news/vietnams-pangasius-exports-reach-usd-1-1-billion-in-the-first-half-of-2026-37584.html