Vietnam’s catfish exports recorded positive signs of recovery in the first half of 2025. In the first 7 months of 2025, the export value of catfish reached 1.22 billion USD, an increase of 11.1% compared to the same period in 2024.
In July 2025, the export value of catfish reached about 197 million USD, an increase of 13% compared to the same period in 2024. In the first 7 months of the year, the export value was 1.22 billion USD, an increase of 11.1% compared to the same period last year, aiming for a target of 2 billion USD for the entire year.
One of the reasons for the growth in Vietnam’s catfish exports in July is the tariff advantage in the US market. Currently, the export tax to the US has been reduced to 20%. Compared to competitors like China or Brazil, the lower rate is considered a significant advantage.
Vietnam’s catfish industry continues to show positive signs.
Ms. Le Hang, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processors and Exporters (VASEP), assessed that despite the 20% countervailing duty, the competition is not high because Vietnam is almost the only country supplying catfish to the US.
In fact, in July 2025 alone, exports of catfish to the US increased by over 20% compared to the same period last year, making a significant contribution to overall growth. Processing businesses have quickly seized the opportunity, increasing the production of frozen fillets, cut catfish, and other processed products to meet the tastes of American consumers.
Many other markets have also increased their imports of Vietnamese catfish. In ASEAN and the EU, demand has recovered strongly due to price advantages and the ability to quickly meet quality standards. Some large export businesses are also expanding into the Middle East and South Asia, where the demand for seafood consumption is increasing.
Along with market expansion, many businesses have increased investment in processing technology to create high-value-added products. Not only frozen filets, but also various products such as sausages, fish cakes, burgers, and even fish oil and collagen are developed for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
A notable point is that in addition to exports, the domestic market is gradually becoming an important support for the catfish industry. After years of focusing on exports, catfish is now more familiar to Vietnamese consumers.
According to the VASEP, with the positive recovery momentum since the beginning of the year, the Vietnamese catfish industry has many opportunities to reestablish the billion-dollar export milestone for the entire year of 2025. However, the VASEP also warned the industry to remain cautious in the face of challenges such as increasing technical barriers, trade protectionism, and fluctuating global logistics costs.
To achieve sustainable development, experts recommend that the catfish industry continue to invest in international standard farming (ASC, BAP, GlobalGAP) to meet the requirements of import markets. The promotion of deep processing is to increase value-added and reduce dependence on raw exports. Developing the Vietnamese catfish brand is linked to quality, nutrition, and food safety. At the same time, the industry needs to expand the domestic market and establish a long-term foothold for the product right in its homeland.