Vietnam pangasius exports to CPTPP in 2026 reached approximately USD 196 million in the first six months, up 15% year on year. June exports totaled around USD 34 million, down slightly by 0.4%, but the bloc remained one of the positive contributors to Vietnam's pangasius export performance.
The more important development is the difference in product demand across individual CPTPP markets.
Some destinations continue to focus on basic raw-material products, while others are creating room for deeper processing and higher-value formats.
CPTPP Is Developing Along Two Different Product Paths
Mexico remains strongly oriented toward raw-material products.
Vietnamese pangasius exports to Mexico reached approximately USD 43 million in H1 2026, up 28%. Whole and portion-cut frozen pangasius reached about USD 5 million, increasing 43%, while frozen fillets reached around USD 38 million, up 27%.
Japan is showing a different pattern.
According to VASEP's Seafood Trade Bulletin No. 28/2026, value-added pangasius exports to Japan increased by 48%.
This creates two clear commercial directions:
Mexico → competitive raw-material supply
Japan → processed and value-added products
Value-Added Products Could Become a Stronger Growth Driver
Frozen fillets remain the core pangasius export format, but Japan provides evidence that deeper processing has room to expand.
VASEP reported that pangasius exports to Japan reached approximately USD 20 million in the first five months of 2026, up 22%. Value-added products also represented a relatively meaningful share compared with many other markets.
Potential product development can move through several stages:
Standard fillets → Portions → Seasoned products → Ready-to-cook formats → Convenience products
For processors, this approach can increase product value without depending entirely on higher raw-material volume.
However, deeper processing also requires tighter control over:
- Raw-material size.
- Yield.
- Cut specifications.
- Portion weight.
- Packaging.
- Batch consistency.
- Traceability.
CPTPP Growth Favors a More Flexible Pangasius Portfolio
The USD 196 million export value and 15% growth rate show that CPTPP remains an important market group for Vietnamese pangasius.
More importantly, demand is becoming increasingly differentiated.
Instead of relying on a single product format, exporters may need a broader portfolio that includes:
- Whole frozen pangasius.
- Portion-cut products.
- Frozen fillets.
- Portions.
- Further-processed products.
- Buyer-specific specifications.
The CPTPP opportunity is therefore not only about increasing export volume. It also supports a gradual shift from commodity supply toward market-specific, higher-value products.
Source: Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers – VASEP, “Xuất khẩu cá tra sang CPTPP: Mở rộng cơ hội cho hàng giá trị gia tăng” and Seafood Trade Bulletin No. 28/2026.