Asian catfish farming particularly pangasius in Vietnam is undergoing significant welfare improvements driven by export market requirements and certification scheme adoption.
Asian catfish welfare improvement demonstrates how export market requirements can drive meaningful welfare advances in major producing countries. The concentration of pangasius export to European markets where welfare requirements are growing creates leverage for welfare improvement at scale. Certification scheme requirements for stocking density limits, water quality standards, and handling protocols represent genuine welfare improvements for millions of fish annually. Consumer choices to purchase certified pangasius create the market signal sustaining this welfare investment across the supply chain.