One of Vietnam’s largest pangasius producers — International Development & Investment Corporation (IDI), a member of Sao Mai Group — is targeting increased pangasius sales to China.

In an interview with Vietnam Business Forum, Truong Vinh Thanh, vice president of Sao Mai Group, said the firm has “chosen China as our potential market”.

“We view China as a major market in the world, with the population of over one billion; this is a potential place for the consumption of seafood in general and catfish [pangasius] in particular,” he said. “At the same time, China is near Vietnam, which makes it very convenient for shipment. Furthermore, Chinese and Vietnamese traditional cuisines are in common.”

In 2017, the firm established an office in Beijing to better promote its brand. “Here we develop in two directions, first, satisfy existing customers, second, to use other channels to distribute products, promoting the IDI brand.”

In the first four months of 2018, Vietnam exported $605 million worth of pangasius products, with exports to China worth $145m, up 43% over the same period last year.