(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs, after a slump in the first 3 quarters of 2015, Vietnam's shrimp exports to China in QIV/2015 totaled over US$102 million, a year-on-year increase of 18.4%. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to other main markets declined. From September to December 2015, shrimp exports to China showed a positive growth of 9.4% - 28% over the same period in 2014.
In the first 2 months of 2016, shrimp exports to China hit US$64.8 million; accounting for over 17% of total exports of Vietnam; up 36.5% year on year - the strongest growth among the top 10 shrimp importers of Vietnam. Thanks to the growth, China became the second largest importer of Vietnam shrimp (after the U.S) in Jan-Feb 2016. China’s government encouraged importing raw shrimp to offset domestic shrimp production which was declining, this led to high import demand for shrimp to process and re-export.
In 2015 and Jan-Feb 2016, the proportion of Vietnam's black tiger shrimp exports to China doubled compared to whiteleg shrimp. China mainly imports live/fresh/frozen shrimp (HS 03) from Vietnam, accounting for about 95% of total shrimp exports to the market.
On Dec, 15th 2015, Vietnam National Agro Forestry Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD) received the official letter No. TCO 848 from Vietnam's embassy in China. Accordingly, General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China (AQSIQ) allowed 4 live tiger shrimp packaging facilities and 14 black tiger shrimp farms in Vietnam to restore live black tiger shrimp exports to China. Earlier, on Feb, 5th 2015, AQSIQ banned imports of live black tiger shrimp from Vietnam on a fear of disease. After 11 months, the ban has been removed.
Since 2016, Vietnam’s enterprises can export live black tiger shrimp back to China that contributed into the growth in shrimp sales to China in Jan-Feb 2016.
According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), shrimp imports into China in 2015 reached 102,843 MT; worth by US$754.5 million; up 31.7% in volume and 36% in value. Ecuador was the main shrimp supplier to China, accounting for 25% of the total shrimp imports of China. Vietnam ranks the 10th among top shrimp suppliers to China, accounting for 1.4%. China tends to raise shrimp imports for processing and domestic consumption, especially amid decline in shrimp production due to diseases.
Ecuador is the main competitor with Vietnam in Chinese market. In 2025, Ecuador exported 50% of total shrimp output to China. In 2016, China is expected to continue to be an important market of Ecuador shrimp.
China is still considered as a large and potential market of Vietnam shrimp in 2016 thanks to its high shrimp demand, favorable geographical distance. Vietnam enterprises should continue to build brand name of their products, ensure the sustainable development from farming, processing to meet demand of strict markets and expand new ones.
Written by Kim Thu
Compiled by Dieu Thuy