May 2020
After pangasius prices peaked in 2018, a strong supply response in 2019 followed by the economic devastation inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 has seen pangasius prices collapse.
In Viet Nam, where the vast majority of internationally traded pangasius is produced, farmers are reluctant to stock any significant quantities, with farmgate prices barely at break-even levels and core markets subdued.
In China, which has become an increasingly important target market for the Vietnamese industry, authorities began loosening COVID-19 restrictions at the end of March. However, it will take some time for Chinese demand to recover fully.