Thanks to the breakthrough growth in the first half of the year, Vietnam's shrimp exports as of October 2022 still increased by 18% to reach $3.8 billion.
In the structure of Vietnam's shrimp export products, whiteleg shrimp exports increased by 13%, black tiger shrimp increased slightly by 1.2%, marine shrimp increased the most by 106%. Among the exported vannamei and black tiger shrimp products, processed products outperformed live/fresh/frozen products.
In October, some main markets educed shrimp imports from Vietnam such as the US, EU, UK, and South Korea. Shrimp exports to the US and EU dropped sharply by 51% and 35%, respectively. Exports to the UK decreased by 20%, exports to South Korea decreased slightly by 1%. Exports to Japan still increased slightly by 5%. Particularly, exports to China still maintained a growth rate of 49% compared to October 2021.
It is difficult for shrimp exports in the next 2 months to keep the same growth as in previous months
By the end of October, although imports decreased by 18% over the same period, the US market still accounted for the largest proportion, accounting for nearly 20% of Vietnam's shrimp exports with a turnover of 733 million USD.
Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US have continuously decreased by double digits from June until now. The oversupplied market, record high inflation and the fuel crisis caused people to tighten their spending, so shrimp imports into the US from most sources have decreased.
According to data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in the first 9 months of this year, the volume of shrimp imports into the US from India decreased by 16%, Indonesia (-9%), Vietnam (- 31%), Thailand (-12%), Argentina (-11%), only imports from Ecuador increased 11%.
In 2022, Indian shrimp production faced many difficulties, output decreased, disease outbreaks, input costs increased, shrimp selling prices fell sharply while shrimp farming in Ecuador was more favorable, with high productivity, and few diseases. Ecuador plans to increase whiteleg shrimp production to 2 million tons by 2025.
Besides the US, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the EU in October 2022 decreased by 35% compared to the same period last year. Exports to 4 main markets in the bloc (Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France) simultaneously decreased at double digits. Uncertainty in the economy, politics and the upward trend in commodity prices, especially energy prices, have negatively impacted import demand from the EU market in recent months. As of October 2022, shrimp exports to the EU reached US$618 million, up 28% over the same period last year.
It is difficult for shrimp exports in the next 2 months to keep the same growth as in previous months because of the declining demand, challenges in raw material and high production costs while enterprises and farmers lack capital to rotate investment in production and processing for export.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2026 marks a period of strong growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, but it is also a time when international export competition is becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 99 million in 2025, up 140% compared to the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, export value reached USD 49 million, a 151% increase year-on-year. As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to rise, Vietnam is emerging as a noteworthy competitor to traditional tilapia powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Egypt.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets showed varying trends across regions and countries. The Middle East recorded strong growth, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the largest Asian market for Vietnamese tilapia. ASEAN markets also expanded significantly, driven primarily by Malaysia. Meanwhile, Japan maintained solid growth, while exports to South Korea declined compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp and pangasius continued to lead growth, helping seafood exports reach $4.67 billion in the first five months of the year; however, differentiation among product groups and increasingly stringent requirements from importing markets are posing many challenges for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn
