(vasep.com.vn) The US continues to be one of Vietnam's largest pangasius export markets. Cumulative pangasius export turnover to this market in the first 4 months of 2026 reached 106 million USD, up 4% over the same period in 2025. In April 2026 alone, turnover reached 38 million USD, up 20% over the same period, the first positive growth after a long period of decline.
This development appears in the context that US importers have increased imports before August 2025, when a 20% reciprocal tax rate will be imposed on Vietnamese goods. As a result, inventory accumulation is high, causing import demand to slow down in the last months of 2025. Entering the beginning of 2026, inventory is gradually consumed, creating conditions for new orders to recover, reflected in the increase in April.
The product structure focuses on frozen fillets
The US market records a very high level of product concentration. The fresh/frozen fish group (HS code 03) accounts for more than 95% of total turnover. This structure reflects that the US market's demand is still focusing on convenient frozen fillets, a segment where Vietnamese pangasius has an advantage in terms of stable supply and competitive prices.
However, consumer trends in the US favor processed products and added value products. This is an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to penetrate and expand the development of value-added pangasius products.
