ENCOURAGING SIGNS FOR VIETNAMESE PANGASIUS EXPORTS

Encouraging signs for Vietnamese pangasius exports. Since the end of the third quarter of 2020, pangasius imports in some major markets have been positive again, especially in China – Hong Kong markets, reports the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers. As a result, raw pangasius prices in the Mekong Delta went up.

By the end of September 2020, the total export value of pangasius reached US$1 billion, down 28.6% over the same period in 2019. Particularly in September 2020, the export value reached US$129 million, down 17.6% over the same period in 2019.

China – Hongkong and the US

In the first 9 months of this year, China – Hong Kong, and the US were still the two largest export markets of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises, accounting for 50% of the total export value of pangasius to 133 markets. Although still accounting for a high proportion in the structure of pangasius export, the export value to the US market has not yet recovered and stabilized after Covid-19. As for the China – Hong Kong market, since late September and early October, export activities have been bustling again. According to information from a number of large pangasius enterprises to this market, especially this year, including the Chinese National Day (October 1), many customers still place orders. Nevertheless, this optimistic start-up is assessed as just the first step, in which most of the demand is concentrated in the large-sized pangasius product group from 1.1 to 1.3 kg/fish.

The ASEAN-EU

By the end of September 2020, the total value of pangasius exports to ASEAN – the third largest export market, reached US$102.8 million, down 30.3%, of which, the export value to three largest markets in the region Thailand (-27.4%),  Singapore (-1.4%), and Malaysia (-25.8%) over the same period in 2019. Singapore is considered as the most positive market in September 2020, but the export value also declined by 15% compared to the same period in 2019. Up to now, when Covid-19 is under control, the situation of pangasius exports to ASEAN has not yet balance back.

Similar to ASEAN, in the first 9 months of 2020, pangasius export to the EU was uncertain and decreased in many months. The total value of exports to this region reached US$98.4 million, down 33.8%. In which, the four largest import markets, the Netherlands and Belgium, both fell by 27.7%; Germany dipped by 35.4% and Spain decreased by 17.2% over the same period in 2019. It is projected that by the end of the year, pangasius export value to the EU will continue to go down.

The UK

In 2020, pangasius exports to the UK have been outstanding. In September 2020, pangasius export value to the UK reached US$4.8 million, up 68.4%; As of the third quarter of 2020, the total export value to this market reached US$30.78 million, up nearly 27% over the same period in 2019. This is the market with the most positive growth in the top 10 largest export markets of Vietnamese pangasius.