Although pangasius exports to the German market decreased following the general trend of the EU region for more than 10 years from 2008 to 2018, but in recent years, especially in the first 5 months of 2019, the export value of pangasius to the German market continued to rose. Particularly in May, 2019, pangasius export value to this market hiked up: 144,7% compare to the same period in 2018. By the end of May, 2019, the export value of Vietnamese pangasius exported to Germany reached US$14.7 million, up 74.6% compared to the same period in 2018.
It can be said that Germany is one of good importers for Vietnamese pangasius in the EU. According to ITC statistics, in the first 4 months of 2019, the average import prices of frozen fillets pangasius (HS 030462) ranged from US$3.5 to US$3.96/kg.
Currently, there are about 15 enterprises exported pangasius to the Germany, most of which are concentrated in the two provinces of Dong Thap and Can Tho. Frozen fillets pangasius products accounts for more than 90% of pangasius export structure of enterprises to Germany.
In addition, a number of other products such as frozen pangasius steak, frozen pangasius roll rose were exported to Germany … In May, 2019 alone, enterprises exported 100% of frozen fillets pangasius products to German market through the two main import ports are Harmburg and Bremerhaven.
Having said that, up to now, most of pangasius products exported to Germany in the form of fillets frozen, therefore, the export price is quite low with the lowest is from US$0.9 to US$1.7/kg (FOB) and highest ranges from US$3.6 – 4.25 / kg. Thus, Vietnamese pangasius products exported to Germany still have only a few product groups and are not diversified compared to other markets in the region such as the Netherlands. The good news is that in the first half of 2019, the import demand for pangasius from Vietnam of Germany increased steadily and the import prices were relatively stable. In the last quarter of the year, businesses can continue to boost exports to this market.