MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s imports of pangasius from Vietnam increased 17% in year 2014, to reach a value of $115.24 million, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers.
Mexico is among the top eight importing markets for Vietnamese pangasius. Frozen fillet exports to Mexico reported positive growth, though averaging around $2.10 per kilogram; prices were not higher than in 2013.
Of frozen whitefish fillets, pangasius was the most imported item, followed by tilapia and Alaska pollock. The price of pangasius was relatively lower than tilapia.
Mexico has expanded and developed its tilapia farming in recent years. The country has focused on achieving international certifications for tilapia farming, and has had its first tilapia farm certified Best Aquaculture Practices by Global Aquaculture Alliance.
Mexico is the one of the largest economies in Latin America, with more than half of imports into the market coming in from the Americas. Asian countries account for more than 30%.
Many economic organizations expect that Mexico will surpass Brazil to become the largest economy in Latin America in the next decade. This will be an advantage to boost exports of pangasius and other seafoods into this market in the near future.
