Vietnam’s catfish exports to international markets continue to grow in the first quarter of 2025. China and Hong Kong (China) are the leading markets for Vietnamese catfish consumption.
According to the latest data from the General Department of Customs, Vietnam’s catfish export turnover in March 2025 continued to show positive signals, reaching 182 million USD. This is an increase of 16% compared to the same period last year.
In the first quarter of 2025, the total export value of this product reached over 465 million USD, marking a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This shows a stable recovery and promising outlook for this key industry.
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) reported that in terms of consumption markets, China and Hong Kong (China) remain the top destinations for Vietnamese catfish exports. In March 2025 alone, catfish exports to these markets reached over 38 million USD, an increase of 4% compared to the same period last year.
Catfish exports in the first quarter reached over 465 million USD.
The total export value of catfish to China and Hong Kong (China) in the first three months of the year reached over 105 million USD, a decrease of 6% compared to the same period last year.
The export of catfish to the US in March 2025 was slightly down by 4% compared to the same period last year, reaching over 29 million USD. However, the country maintains its position as the second-largest destination for Vietnamese catfish. The total catfish exports to the US in the first quarter were 69 million USD, a 6% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Following the US, Brazil continues to demonstrate strong consumption of catfish products from Vietnam, especially frozen catfish fillets. In March 2025, exports of catfish to this South American country were over 20 million USD, nearly doubling compared to March 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, catfish exports to Brazil reached over 48 million USD, an increase of 73% compared to the same period last year.
Exports of catfish to the EU continued to experience positive growth of 16%, with a value reaching nearly 45 million USD in the first quarter. The Netherlands is the largest importer of Vietnamese catfish products within the EU. In the first three months of this year, catfish exports to the Netherlands were 12 million USD, an increase of 11% compared to the same period last year.
Thailand is the fourth-largest single market for Vietnamese catfish. The export value of catfish to this country in March 2025 was nearly 8 million USD, an increase of 27% compared to March 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, the total export value of catfish to Thailand was 20 million USD, an increase of 22% compared to the same period last year.
The VASEP noted that, overall, catfish exports to markets were stable in the first quarter. In the context of many opportunities with challenges, the catfish industry is facing a dual task: expanding the market while enhancing its capacity to respond to global fluctuations. With the reputable foundation over many years, it is expected that Vietnamese catfish will continue to assert its position on the global seafood map.