In China, fish bladders are not only a nutritious delicacy for gourmets but also a symbol of success and wealth. As a result, the country has spent around 525 billion VND (21 million USD) purchasing this product from Vietnam.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam’s value-added pangasius products are increasingly popular with global consumers. Therefore, investing in deep processing to enhance the value of pangasius products has become an inevitable trend.

For example, dried pangasius fish bladders are no longer an unfamiliar product in many markets. As of the end of August 2024, exports of dried pangasius fish bladders reached 58 million USD.

China continues to hold its position as the largest consumer of this product from Vietnam. In the first eight months of this year, Vietnam exported dried pangasius fish bladders to China, amounting to 21 million USD, accounting for 36% of the total export value of this product from Vietnam.

Twelve Vietnamese enterprises are currently supplying dried pangasius fish bladders to China.

Interestingly, in the past two years, China has ramped up its purchases of dried pangasius fish bladders from Vietnam to compensate for the supply shortage from Mexico. This shift has led to increased revenue for many Vietnamese companies.

In China, fish bladders (including dried pangasius fish bladders) are considered not only a nutritious food for gourmets but also a symbol of success, wealth, and prosperity for those who use the product. As a result, this product is often given as a gift during important events.

The price of fish bladders in China ranges from 450 to 1,000 USD per kilogram, and in Hong Kong, the price can soar to as high as 7,700 USD per kilogram.

VASEP noted that Mexico was previously China’s top choice for fish bladders. However, with some endemic fish species on the brink of extinction and stricter regulations from Mexican authorities, China has gradually shifted its focus to Southeast Asia, particularly increasing purchases from Vietnam, including dried pangasius fish bladders.

In the seafood industry, pangasius fish bladders were once considered a by-product to be discarded. However, they have now become a high-priced product due to the intricate and complex processing methods required, which demand meticulous craftsmanship and advanced techniques. It takes 5 to 7 kilograms of fresh fish bladders to produce just 1 kilogram of dried pangasius fish bladders.

In addition to China, Vietnam also exports dried pangasius fish bladders to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States, among other countries. VASEP believes that the potential and opportunities for exporting dried pangasius fish bladders to global markets remain promising. However, the biggest challenge is the shortage of raw materials, resulting in limited product availability.

Tam An