Vietnam's basa fish lacks sufficient domestic consumption drive

As of July 15, basa fish exports have exceeded 1.1 billion USD, marking an 11% increase year-on-year. Some markets have seen significant growth: Brazil with 73%, Malaysia with 33%, Thailand with 32%, and the United States with 12%. The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has pointed out several reasons for the lack of popularity of basa fish in the domestic market: most basa fish farms and processing plants are solely focused on exports, domestic products are limited to whole fish or simple fish fillets, there is less investment in packaging and branding, and domestic selling prices are 30%-40% lower than export prices, reducing the incentive for businesses to expand their domestic distribution. Consumer habits and perceptions also pose challenges, as many families still prefer familiar freshwater fish such as catfish, carp, or pangasius, rather than farmed basa fish. VASEP indicates that a reliable foundation for truly transforming the domestic market ...