Brian Jeffrey
China’s Growing Demand for Pangasius Fish Bladders
In China, fish bladders are considered a gourmet delicacy and a status symbol. This has led to significant investment, with around 525 billion VND (21 million USD) spent on importing this product from Vietnam.
The Rise of Value-Added Pangasius Products
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) reports that value-added products made from pangasius are gaining traction globally. Therefore, it has become essential to invest in advanced processing techniques to elevate the value of these products.
Dried pangasius fish bladders have gained popularity, achieving an export value of 58 million USD by the end of August 2024.
Leading Exporter to China
China remains the largest market for these imports, with Vietnam exporting dried pangasius fish bladders worth 21 million USD in the first eight months of this year, constituting 36% of Vietnam’s total export value for this product.
Currently, twelve Vietnamese companies are supplying these dried fish bladders to China.
Shift in Market Focus
In recent years, China has increased its imports of dried pangasius fish bladders from Vietnam to address supply shortages from Mexican sources, resulting in enhanced revenue for Vietnamese exporters.
The Symbolism and Luxury of Fish Bladders
In Chinese culture, fish bladders, including dried varieties, are not only a nutritious gourmet food but also represent success and prosperity. They are commonly given as gifts during significant occasions.
The market price for fish bladders in China is between 450 and 1,000 USD per kilogram, with prices in Hong Kong reaching up to 7,700 USD per kilogram.
Shifts in Sources Due to Regulations
Previously, Mexico was the primary supplier for China. However, due to the dwindling populations of certain fish species and stricter regulations, Chinese imports have increasingly focused on Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam.
Transforming By-Products into High-Value Items
Pangasius fish bladders were once discarded by the seafood industry, but now they are a high-value product due to the meticulous processing techniques involved. Producing just one kilogram of dried bladders requires 5 to 7 kilograms of fresh ones.
Future Export Opportunities and Challenges
Besides China, Vietnam also exports dried pangasius fish bladders to countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States. VASEP sees strong potential for global export growth in this area, but challenges remain, notably in securing adequate raw materials.
