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According to statistics from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam’s catfish exports in 2023 fetched over $6 million, a decrease of 42% compared to 2022.
In 2023, the EU continued to be the largest consumer market for Vietnamese catfish with $2 million, a decrease of 34% compared to 2022. The fourth quarter of 2023 was the period with the highest value of this market as it had positive growth for 3 consecutive months. Among them, the Netherlands contributed nearly half of Vietnam’s catfish exports to the EU, with over $1 million, an increase of 10% compared to 2022.
Following the EU, the US consumed nearly $1 million in 2023, a decrease of 71% compared to 2022. This market experienced frequent fluctuations in 2023. In December 2023, the US unexpectedly increased its catfish imports. The export turnover of catfish to the US in December 2023 reached over $200,000, an increase of 78% compared to the same period, while the previous month this country almost had no imports.
Frozen pangasius is a preferred product by consumers in the US. In the first 11 months of 2023, the US imported 84,822 tons of frozen pangasius fillets from around the world, an increase of 13% compared to the same period. China is the world’s largest supplier of catfish and also the largest source for the US. Vietnamese catfish in the US are facing fierce competition with Chinese catfish as Vietnam’s average price is much higher.
In addition, Vietnam’s catfish exports to other markets also witnessed a decline in the past year such as Japan (decreased by 62%), Belgium (decreased by 56%), Italy (decreased by 38%), the UK (decreased by 85%),…
Catfish originated in tropical areas. Up to now, nearly 100 species of catfish have been known, of which about 10 species have economic value. Some catfish species have outstanding characteristics such as striped catfish, red catfish, monoecious catfish,…, and are currently widely raised in our country to provide food for the people and supply raw materials for export processing. Catfish are widely sold in markets and supermarkets in Vietnam, and by now, there are more than 100 countries raising this type of fish.
According to the Department of Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), regarding the catfish production in 2023, our country’s farming area reached 30,000 hectares with a yield of 270 thousand tons, an increase of 3.8% compared to 2022.
Globally, in the first half of 2023, China remained the largest producer of catfish in the world. The production growth rate has slowed down due to reduced aquaculture and increased feed costs. Summer storms have affected the catfish industry, especially the producers in Guangdong province, the main production area of China. Therefore, China’s catfish industry is expected to have slower production growth and a narrowing possibility in the coming time.
Among other Asian countries, Indonesia is the second largest catfish producer, but the majority of its supply is currently focused on the domestic market. With the support of the government, this country is expected to expand its exports. Indonesia exported 4,700 tons of frozen catfish fillets in the first half of 2023, this figure shows positive prospects for expanding the global market.
