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Pangasius is a term used for a special variety of imported freshwater fish that have become the tenth most popular seafood product eaten in the United States. Consumers are eating about 6 ounces of Pangasius per year and demand for this moderately priced selection is expected to continue to increase. It is a primary example of the increasing demand and dependence on aquaculture or farm raised seafood products. Pangasius is the scientific family name for certain types of freshwater catfish primarily found in Vietnam, Cambodia and neighboring nations. Like the U.S. catfish industry, aquaculture production techniques have been applied to these species, and the number of fish being raised in cages and ponds in the Mekong River Delta region of Vietnam has increased rapidly. The demand for these fish is driving an expansion of farming operations in other nations including China, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. All of the species being raised in these countries are Asian catfish.
