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) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
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