Pangasius catfish face many new pressures.

The Vietnamese pangasius industry is entering a new phase of development with many opportunities but also numerous challenges, including new barriers such as "green" standards, increasingly fierce international competition, and unpredictable fluctuations from the escalating conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Pressure from the "green wave"

From 2026 onwards, the pangasius industry is projected to be strongly impacted by several new factors, particularly the trend towards a green economy , the rise of regional competitors, climate change, and shifts in global consumer trends. One of the biggest pressures currently is the "green wave" in global trade. Many major markets, such as the European Union (EU) and the United States, are beginning to require seafood products to meet increasingly stringent environmental standards. Accordingly, pangasius products must be transparent about their carbon footprint throughout the entire production chain, from farming to processing. Failure to properly control greenhouse gas emissions could result in high tariffs or import restrictions.

Global consumers still prefer processed pangasius products that are pre-prepared and ready to cook or eat immediately. Photo: MINH HIEN

Furthermore, ESG standards (environmental, social, and governance) are becoming mandatory requirements in many markets. Importers are not only concerned with the product itself, but also require businesses to demonstrate responsibility towards the environment, working conditions, and transparency in governance. Mr. Le Trung Dung, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Fisheries Association, stated: “Vietnam no longer has a monopoly in the whitefish segment. This industry is facing increasingly strong competition from neighboring countries such as China, India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. These countries are expanding their farming areas with lower costs and increasingly advanced technology.”

Another factor strongly impacting the pangasius industry is the change in consumer trends. Ms. Chau Thi Le Hoa, a pangasius exporter in Long Xuyen ward, said: “Global consumers are increasingly favoring pre-processed pangasius products that can be cooked or eaten immediately. This forces businesses to invest more heavily in deep processing to increase product value.”

Currently, pangasius catfish remains one of Vietnam's key seafood export products. The country has approximately 5,500 hectares of pangasius catfish farming area, with an annual production of 1.6-1.7 million tons. An Giang province alone has about 1,500 hectares of farming area, with a harvest of nearly 500,000 tons, continuing to play a major role as one of the country's largest pangasius catfish production centers.

Impacts from regional conflicts

The escalating conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz has recently led to a sharp increase in shipping costs. Many international shipping companies are applying war risk surcharges, ranging from $1,500 to over $4,000 per container, especially for 40-foot containers on routes to Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Some major shipping lines, such as CMA CGM, apply surcharges of up to $4,000 per container, while Hapag-Lloyd charges between $1,500 and over $3,500 for a 20-foot container. According to logistics experts, freight rates for 40-foot containers could double or triple, projected to exceed $5,000 in the near future.

Rising transportation costs not only increase export prices but also prolong delivery times. Many ships have to change their routes, detouring around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 7-14 days to the shipping time. This increases the risk for goods requiring refrigeration, such as pangasius fish.

According to Ms. Chau Thi Le Hoa, pangasius fish requires strict cold storage conditions, so the cost of refrigerated containers and transportation time significantly impact business efficiency. When freight costs increase sharply, businesses are forced to adjust their delivery plans and markets to mitigate risks.

Following a period of market slowdown, demand for pangasius imports in many major markets is showing signs of recovery. However, businesses still face pressure from rising production and logistics costs. Therefore, improving product quality, controlling costs, and expanding markets are considered key factors in maintaining growth momentum.

Mr. Le Trung Dung believes that the trend of developing aquaculture according to green standards is becoming an essential requirement to enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese pangasius in the international market. "Establishing farming areas that meet international certifications such as ASC, BAP, or GlobalGAP not only helps products meet increasingly stringent technical barriers from the EU and the US but also contributes to increasing export value," Mr. Dung said.

With global trade continuing to fluctuate, proactively adapting to green standards, developing sustainable farming areas, promoting deep processing, and diversifying export markets will be crucial directions for Vietnamese pangasius in general, and An Giang in particular, to maintain its position as a key export industry in the short and long term.

MINH HIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/ca-tra-truoc-nhieu-ap-luc-moi-a478967.html