In 2013, based on estimates and official data from reporting countries, markets absorbed approximately 500 000 tonnes of pangasius fillets.

In 2012, global production of pangasius reached over 1.6 million tonnes, with nearly 75%  supplied by Viet Nam. Viet Nam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Malaysia and Myanmar all increased their production.

Viet Nam

The Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) announced a marginal 1% rise in value of pangasius exports in 2013 compared with 2012 at USD 1.76 billion. The association does not report quantitative export figures, but industry sources report a shortage in supplies as the number of farms have declined following heavy losses over the past few years. This shortage in supply has pushed prices up and is expected to prolong until the next harvest in June.  

The export value of pangasius to the EU, the major market block, declined by nearly 10% in 2013 compared with 2012. However, the export value increased by 6% to the USA, Viet Nam’s single largest market, with a total value of USD 381 million.

 USA

US frozen catfish imports continued to post positive growth. In 2013, a total of 108 400 tonnes of frozen catfish fillets were imported, a 7.43% increase compared with 2012. Interestingly, despite serious production issues in Viet Nam, imports increased from this source (+5.36%).

Imports of frozen Ictalurus fillet also increased in 2013 by approximately 100% to 5 544 tonnes compared with the year before. Imports are expected to be higher during the first quarter of 2014 as demand for fish will be stronger during the Lent season. 

The recently signed Farm Bill will make it more difficult for Asian catfish to enter the US market and will ultimately lead to higher catfish prices for consumers. The bill mandates that the US Department of Agriculture finalize its catfish inspection programme, which will apply more rigorous standards for imported catfish. Exporters will also be required to open their processing facilities to USDA inspection, submit detailed sanitation plans and set up an inspection system equal to that of the USA. Furthermore, the programme will require re-inspection of catfish at US ports. Currently, imported catfish, known as pangasius, are USD 1.50 to 2.00 cheaper per pound than American catfish. In the past decade, the US catfish industry has decreased by more than 60%, with the amount of land devoted to catfish ponds cut in half. Many producers argue that these impacts are largely due to cheaper imports. Lawmakers from southern states, where catfish are farmed, have been fighting to reduce imports to bolster the position of domestic producers.

EU

The EU imported a total of 179 734 tonnes of frozen freshwater fillets (i.e. Nile perch, tilapia and pangasius) in 2013, which is a marginal decrease (-0.4%) from 2012. Of these imports, pangasius maintained the largest share at 79%. However, pangasius imports declined by -1.41% in 2013 to total 141 416 tonnes. Imports of pangasius declined among major EU markets, namely Spain (-2%), the Netherlands (-7.17%), Germany (-15.46%), Poland (-13.33%) and Belgium (-8.83%).

Asia

Based on official statistical data from reporting countries, imports of frozen freshwater fish fillets into Asia (mostly tilapia and pangasius) totalled more than 50 000 tonnes in 2013, up by nearly 45% from 2012. Nearly 80% of this volume was pangasius, mostly from Viet Nam.

The growing imports of frozen freshwater fillets indicate the rising demand for fish fillets, which began when pangasius entered the markets about a decade ago. Among the largest importers of pangasius fillets in Asia are Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong SAR and Republic of Korea, all of which imported more in 2013 than the previous year. Pangasius imports by these countries alone were approximately 55 000 tonnes with Singapore being the largest importer in Asia, importing nearly 16 247 tonnes. However, it should be noted that part of the imports into Singapore are re-exported.  

In Japan, it is interesting to note the import trend for freshwater fish fillets such as Nile perch, tilapia and pangasius, for which volumes  are relatively small. Imports of the pangasius fillet, the cheapest among the freshwater fillet category, increased significantly within 2013, with the  average import price at yen 342 per kg (exported by Viet Nam). Japan imported 1 031 tonnes of pangasius fillets in 2013.

Market focus: Nepal

In Nepal,  magur (walking catfish), rohu, naini, carp, bhakura, and silver grass carp are some of the popular freshwater fish species that are increasingly being sold live. According to the Nepal Fish Development Programme, 57 520 tonnes of fish were produced in the country in the last fiscal year. The Kathmandu Valley now has over 38 outlets selling live fish with more than 800 to 1 000 kg of live fish sold daily. Demand for live fish in this land locked country is growing rapidly in Kathmandu, with traders reporting that sales have jumped five fold compared to a few years ago. Demand has been growing significantly as consumers learn about the perceived health hazards of consuming dead fish that often contain formalin as a preservative. According to the Fishery Association of Nepal, live fish accounts for about 10% of fish sales while frozen fish makes up the rest. As live fish have a high mortality rate, prices are higher though they have been falling as traders begin using modern technology to bring down the mortality rate. Retail prices of live fish currently stand at NPR 450 (USD 4.60) per kilogram compared to NPR 500 (USD 5.10) two years ago.

Outlook

The growth in global production confirms the strong demand for pangasius. Besides the leading producer of Viet Nam, official figures indicate that supplies are increasing steadily from other sources in Asia.  This trend will continue as pangasius remains an affordable option of fish protein.