U.S. whitefish imports decline
According to ITC data, total U.S. whitefish imports in the first two months of 2026 reached USD 264 million, down 31% year-on-year. Frozen cod fillets remained the largest item at USD 71 million, but also declined by 25%. Overall, most imported whitefish products showed a downward trend.
Another factor affecting imports is the cautious sentiment among U.S. importers. On February 24, 2026, the U.S. imposed a temporary 10% import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 for 150 days, with the possibility of increasing it to 15%. Under such uncertainty, importers tend to purchase only as needed, shorten contract cycles, and avoid long-term inventory buildup.
Tilapia rises while pangasius faces challenges
On the other hand, tightening supply of traditional whitefish is creating more room for alternative species, notably tilapia and pangasius. In early 2026 data, frozen tilapia fillets ranked as the second-largest imported whitefish product in the U.S., reaching USD 54 million and accounting for 21% of total imports. Frozen pangasius fillets ranked third with USD 44 million, accounting for 17%. This indicates that U.S. buyers continue to show strong interest in more price-competitive alternatives to cod.
Within this landscape, Vietnamese pangasius in the U.S. is both facing opportunities and mounting pressure. According to available data, pangasius exports to the U.S. reached USD 67 million in the first three months of 2026, down 3% year-on-year. Notably, the decline mainly came from value-added processed products, which fell sharply by 83% to just USD 761,000, accounting for only about 1% of exports. In contrast, frozen pangasius fillets remained relatively stable at USD 65 million, up 3% and making up 97% of total exports. This suggests that U.S. demand for pangasius is still heavily concentrated in basic, affordable products that are easy to distribute through retail and foodservice channels.
Improving quality and branding to enhance competitiveness
Overall, Vietnamese pangasius in the U.S. is not only under pressure from tariffs and policy uncertainty but also faces intensifying competition in a market that is both contracting and evolving in consumer behavior. As tilapia continues to gain ground, pangasius’ price advantage is likely to narrow.
To maintain and expand its position in the U.S., Vietnamese exporters can no longer rely solely on a “competitive price” strategy. Instead, they need to shift toward competing on consistent quality, international certifications, sustainability, traceability, and brand building. In the short term, frozen fillets will remain the core product; however, in the long run, only companies that can meet higher standards and build internationally recognized brands will be able to secure a more sustainable foothold in the U.S. market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive momentum in the tilapia sector, with Brazil emerging as a key driver of growth, while frozen tilapia fillets continued to be the industry's leading export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK have shown positive signs in the first months of 2026. While the UK’s overall tuna imports from the world declined, imports from Vietnam increased strongly, indicating that there is still room for Vietnam to expand its market share. However, behind this growth, competitive pressure remains intense, especially as the UK continues to be a major market for established suppliers such as Ecuador, Mauritius, and Ghana.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Biofloc technology is being piloted in several rice–shrimp farming models in Ca Mau Province, showing initial positive results in controlling pond environments, improving shrimp seed quality, and supporting sustainable aquaculture development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia together contributed USD 108 million to Vietnam’s pangasius exports, accounting for around 15% of the industry’s total export turnover. Amid tightening global whitefish supply and slowing demand in several traditional markets, Latin America is increasingly becoming an important expansion destination for the sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Alongside the development of high-tech shrimp farming, Ha Tinh Province is accelerating the cultivation of high-value freshwater aquatic species, with red tilapia emerging as an effective and sustainable farming model.
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