Chinese shrimp exports down
In 2014, China’s shrimp exports reached 233 thousand MT, worth by US$ 2.55 million, down 14% by volume but up 16% by value from the previous year. The average export price touched US$ 10.95/kg, up 16% from 2013. Main consuming markets included Malaysia, Hong Kong, the U.S., Japan and Taiwan.
For the year to July 2015, shrimp exports by China reached US$979.5 million, down 21.6% year on year. Among top 10 markets of Chinese shrimp, Spain and Canada raised importing shrimp from China with the growth of 19.4% and 24.9%, respectively while other 8 markets witnessed declines, among which, shrimp exports to Malaysia reported the deepest dive of 44.2%. The average export price of Chinese shrimp tend to rise compared to 2014 with the price of more than US$9/kg.
China’s shrimp production in 2015 is expected to drop by 25-40% from 2014 and much lower than 2013.
Imports up
China is one of the world's shrimp importing markets. Shrimp imports in 2014 reached 78 thousand MT, equivalent to US$555 million, up 10% year on year by volume and 26% by value. Average import price was US$7.1/kg, up 15% year on year.
Turning to the first 7 months of the year, shrimp imports into China surpassed US$ 323 million, up 19.8% year on year. The increase in shrimp imports can be explained by slump in Chinese shrimp domestic supply, which was caused by unfavourable weather and epidemics.
Thailand was the largest shrimp supplier with the year-on-year growth of 48.5%. It was followed by Canada with the growth of 46%. China imported raw shrimp for processing mainly from India and Ecuador. Vietnam is also a supply of raw shrimp to China.
Opportunities for Vietnamese shrimp suppliers
China is a potential market for Vietnamese shrimp suppliers, mostly because of the close geograpical position and the economic outlook.
Amid decline in shrimp exports to main markets like the U.S., Japan and the EU, China is considered as an alternative choice of many Vietnamese shrimp exporters. By September this year, about 35 Vietnamese companies have exported their products to the market.
As the stock market crash affected the middle class, affectingthe demand for high-priced products, it is expected that Vietnam shrimp exports to China will decline but with smaller declining rates in the coming months.
|
Shrimp imports into China (Value: US$thousand, Source: ITC) |
|||
|
Supply |
Jan-Jul 2014 |
Jan-Jul 2015 |
Variations (%) |
|
The world |
269,951 |
323,320 |
19.8 |
|
Thailand |
48,982 |
72,729 |
48.5 |
|
Canada |
35,731 |
52,146 |
45.9 |
|
Ecuador |
64,983 |
42,818 |
-34.1 |
|
Indonesia |
6,611 |
33,056 |
400.0 |
|
India |
24,803 |
26,450 |
6.6 |
|
Argentina |
18,823 |
24,123 |
28.2 |
|
The U.S. |
12,837 |
13,245 |
3.2 |
|
Greenland |
9,533 |
12,834 |
34.6 |
|
Malaysia |
3,002 |
7,541 |
151.2 |
|
Myanmar |
5,066 |
7,057 |
39.3 |
|
Russia |
4,783 |
6,890 |
44.1 |
|
Vietnam |
12,710 |
5,435 |
-57.2 |
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
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