Vietnamese pangasius accounts for 90% of EU imports
In 2023, the total volume of pangasius imported into the European Union experienced a sharp decline compared to the previous year. According to a FAO-Globefish report, approximately 70,000 tons were imported, 3,000 tons less than in 2022.
Vietnam remained the primary supplier, accounting for 90% of total imports. However, the actual market share is even higher, as the second and third-largest suppliers, the Netherlands and Belgium, primarily re-export pangasius sourced from Vietnam.
Germany emerged as the leading consumer of pangasius fillets in the EU, driven by a market where price considerations outweigh quality and flavor. Meanwhile, Spain, once a top consumer of pangasius about a decade ago, has consistently reduced its imports. In 2023, Spain imported 5,500 tons, nearly 1,000 tons less than the previous year.
During the first nine months of 2024, the EU’s pangasius imports remained stable compared to 2023, with approximately 54,000 tons entering the bloc. Germany’s imports increased by 2% during this period, reaching 9,200 tons. Notably, Spain’s imports surged by 40% year-on-year, totaling around 5,500 tons in the same timeframe.
VFM
