In 2025, Vietnam's catfish export value is expected to reach nearly 2.2 billion USD.

According to a report by Viet Nam News Agency, by 2025, Brazil becomes a successful market for Vietnam's catfish industry with a growth rate of 35%, accounting for 8% of the market share. China remains the supporting market for Vietnam's catfish industry, but the growth has not met expectations, with a market share of 27% and a growth rate of about 2.3%. The CPTPP market becomes a bright spot for Vietnam's catfish industry, with a market share of 17%, an export value of about USD 340 million, and a year-on-year growth of 37%; among them, the growth in Mexico, Malaysia, and Japan is particularly outstanding. The U.S. market share is 15%, down by 3.3%. The EU market share is about 8%, remaining stable overall over the past three years. Thailand, Egypt, and Japan are also potential markets for Vietnam's catfish exports. Based on the market trend in 2025 and the tight supply situation of white-flesh fish in 2026, Ms. Su Thi Xuan Lan predicts that Vietnam's catfish export value will reach about USD 2.3 billion in 2026, growing by 5% compared to 2025. It is expected that the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers will carry out promotional activities in China and Europe. Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Vong Te Trung, pointed out that although the catfish industry has been formed for less than 35 years, it has already developed into a large-scale, commercialized production and a strong export industry. In the context of global economic fluctuations, this industry has become one of the important pillars driving the impressive growth of Vietnam's aquatic industry. Currently, the catfish farming area in Vietnam remains at 6,400 hectares. The catfish production in 2025 is about 1.67 million tons, contributing about USD 2.1 billion to the export value of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products. When evaluating the changes in the catfish export market structure, Deputy Minister Vong Te Trung emphasized that the current market share in China exceeds 22%, surpassing the U.S. market (currently about 20% or more). Thanks to the timely and effective response plans of the competent authorities, Vietnam's catfish export value to the European market has achieved strong growth, expected to reach about USD 9 billion, significantly higher than the previous years' level of about USD 5.4 billion. (End)