Position of Vietnam shrimp in the world market in 2012

During the past decades, the U.S., EU and Japan are three largest shrimp importers in the world. In 2011, the estimated total value of the global shrimp industry was about US$15 billion, accounting for 18 percent of total global seafood exports in which shrimp imports of these three markets reached nearly US$12.5 billion.

The U.S. is the leading consumer with imported volume 583,972 MT, worth by US$5.341 billion; followed by EU with 551,642 MT worth US$4.076 billion; Japan ranked the third with 281,720 MT, valued at US$3.02 billion.

In 2011, in terms of value, Vietnam was considered as the fifth largest supplier of shrimp to the U.S.; kept the second largest position in Japan market and in the top five exporters to EU.  

Remaining the 5^th rank in the U.S. market

According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), shrimp imports into U.S. in the first eleven months of 2012 reached over US$4 billion. Vietnam maintained its 5^th position on shrimp supply to the market with the value of US$409.3 million, accounting for over 10 percent of the total value. Thailand took the lead in import value of over US$1 billion, accounting for 26.7 percent. 

As of Dec 15^th 2012, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the U.S. touched US$592.2 million, increasing 8.7 percent compared to the same period of 2011.

Remaining the 2^nd position in Japan market

In 2012, despite Ethoxyquin barrier in Japan, Vietnam maintained the 2^nd position in term of shrimp supply to the market, after Thailand. 

Since the late May 2012, Japan started to inspect Ethoxyquin residues on Vietnam shrimp which sharply slashed Vietnam’s shrimp exports  to the market. Vietnam still remained the 2^nd position in Japan market thanks to sharp increase in exports of the first 5 months of the year.

In Jan-Nov 2012, Japan purchased over US$517.7 million of Vietnam shrimp, occupying 21 percent of total shrimp imports into the market.

Dropping to the 8^th position in EU

In 2011, Vietnam was the fifth shrimp exporter to the EU after Ecuador, Thailand, India and Argentina. However, Vietnam slid to the eighth place in the top ten shrimp suppliers  to the region in the first nine months of 2012.

Decline in shrimp imports from Vietnam to EU was mainly attributable to the sovereign debt crisis in EU negatively affected demand for shrimp consumption in the block.

According to Vietnam Customs, the country saw deep fall in shrimp export revenue to EU in the first months of 2012. Through the year to Dec 15^th 2012, shrimp shipments to the EU reported US$297.6 million, dropping by 21.9 percent over the same period of 2011.