According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in 2024, the export turnover of Vietnam’s catfish reached more than two billion USD. This result contributed 20% to the total seafood export turnover of Vietnam.
Vietnam’s catfish exports overcame the challenging 2024 with an export turnover of two billion USD, along with slow but steady growth.
The VASEP said that changes in consumer demand, market adjustments, fluctuations in geopolitical factors, wars, freight rates, taxes, etc., are unavoidable barriers in the current context.
However, the decisive factor that allows a product to remain in the market in general and win the trust of consumers in particular is high quality, along with a reasonable price. Good product quality comes from good production and processing in accordance with food safety and hygiene standards.
Catfish exports are expected to conquer new milestones in 2025.
Regarding the consumption market, China and Hong Kong (China) are the top destinations for Vietnamese catfish exports. In December 2024 alone, catfish exports to these markets reached over 52 million USD, an increase of 19% compared to the same period in 2023. The export of catfish for the entire year 2024 to China and Hong Kong (China) was over 580 million USD, a slight increase of 1.3% compared to 2023.
The US continued to hold the second position, after China, among the top countries importing the most Vietnamese catfish. In the last month of 2024, catfish exports to the US market were nearly 28 million USD, an increase of 40% compared to December 2023.
The export of catfish to the market bloc, supported by the CPTPP Agreement, was recorded to grow by 10% in 2024, reaching over 274 million USD. Mexico remained the leading country in the bloc in importing the most catfish from Vietnam. In 2024, catfish exports to Mexico reached 76 million USD, an increase of 4% compared to 2023.
In the last months of 2024, catfish exports to the EU reached nearly 16 million USD, an increase of 18% compared to December 2023. The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Spain are, respectively, the top countries importing the most Vietnamese catfish in the bloc. However, unlike other countries, the export of catfish to Germany witnessed a 2% decrease in 2024, with a value of over 37 million USD.
Besides, the export turnover of catfish to several other markets also received positive growth, such as Brazil 15%, Thailand by 4%, or Colombia by 36%. According to the VASEP, 2025 is expected to be a crucial year for Vietnam’s seafood export industry, with the core driving force being farmers and fishermen. The year 2025 also promises to be a year when catfish exports conquer new milestones.