According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), compared to the same period in 2023, catfish exports in 11 months of this year recorded more positive results. The data from the Vietnam Customs show that the export turnover of catfish in November 2024 reached 179 million USD, an increase of 16% compared to November 2023.
By the end of November 2024, catfish exports reached 1.8 billion USD, an increase of 10% compared to the same period last year.
The order of the top markets for consuming Vietnamese catfish has remained almost unchanged compared to the last month. China and Hong Kong are the largest destinations for catfish exports. The export turnover of catfish to these markets in November 2024 was 50 million USD, an increase of 27% compared to the same period in 2023.
The total value of Vietnamese catfish exported to China alone was over 500 million USD in 11 months of this year, an increase of 1% compared to the same period last year.
In November 2024, catfish exports to the US were over 26 million USD, up 14% compared to November 2023. By the end of November this year, exports of catfish products to this market reached over 317 million USD, an increase of 26% compared to the same period last year.
China continuously buys catfish from Vietnam due to its low cost and high quality.
Catfish exports to the CPTPP market were nearly 24 million USD in November 2024, an increase of 5% compared to the same period last year. In 11 months of 2024, catfish exports to the CPTPP bloc were 248 million USD, an increase of 10% compared to the same period in 2023.
Mexico continued to be the largest importer of Vietnamese catfish in this market bloc. In November 2024 alone, the export value of catfish to this country was nearly 6 million USD, a decrease of 25% compared to the same period last year. Although the export value decreased in November, the export value of catfish to Mexico by the end of November 2024 recorded a 5% increase, reaching 69 million USD.
The EU was the fourth-largest importer of catfish from Vietnam. The value of catfish exports to this market bloc in 11 months of this year was nearly 161 million USD, an increase of 3% compared to the same period last year. Specifically, in November this year, the EU consumed nearly 17 million USD, an increase of 43% compared to the same period in 2023.
The Netherlands remains the largest importer of Vietnamese catfish in this bloc in 11 months of this year, with over 43 million USD, an increase of 7% compared to the same period in 2023.
As the end of the year approaches, export orders to the EU are gradually increasing due to the demand for the year-end holiday season.
Besides, Vietnam’s catfish exports to other markets also recorded positive growth in November 2024, such as Thailand up 29%, the UK up 20%, or Colombia up 2%.
Vietnam’s catfish exports are on track to reach 2 billion USD as forecast at the beginning of the year. However, the production and export of catfish still face many challenges, especially strong competition with other white-fish species.