The rise in the shrimp exports by Vietnam was thanks to stronger demand from main markets and upward trend of global shrimp price caused by supply shortage.
Markets
As of July this year, Vietnamese shrimp was exported to 76 markets. Top 10 key markets included the U.S., EU, Japan, China, South Korea, Canada, Australia, ASEAN, Taiwan and Switzerland. Shrimp exports to key markets saw the positive growth such as the U.S. up 16.3%; EU increased by 6%; China increased by 38%; Korea rose 9.3% excluding Japan fell 8.2%. Exports to smaller markets declined from 2.5%-28.6%.
Shrimp products for exports
The export value of all products of whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp increased except for live/fresh/frozen black tiger shrimp (HS code 03) saw the y-o-y decline of 0.7%. Out of total shrimp exports in Jan-Jul 2016, the proportion of white shrimp increased by 1.5%; the share of black tiger shrimp fell 1.2% and marine shrimp downed 0.3% compared to the same period in 2015. The lower proportion of black tiger shrimp was partly because of decrease in supply caused by drought and salinity.
Of the total export value of shrimp, exports of canned other shrimp showed the deepest dive of 60%, however, this item accounted for a modest value of over US$1.7 million.
The U.S.
Vietnam shrimp exports to the U.S. maintained the growth thanks to higher demand from the market. While other suppliers to the U.S. such as India, Indonesia, Ecuador, Thailand saw the decrease in raw material supply, leading to higher export price. The U.S. also increased importing demand for black tiger shrimp while the harvests in both India and Indonesia fell. Now is the time for restaurants and retailers in the U.S. to launch the advertising strategy, trade promotion to boost consumption demand for shrimp. Vietnam shrimp exports to the U.S. in the first 7 months of this year reached US$364.8 million; up 16.3% over the same period last year.
The EU
Vietnam shrimp exports to the EU in the first 7 months of this year reached US$315.9 million; up 6% year on year. Inventories in the EU is low, importing demand for black tiger shrimp increased sharply while the supply of black tiger shrimp from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia to the market declined due to adverse weather.
In the EU bloc, importing demand for warmwater shrimp into the UK was still high due to lower supply of coldwater shrimp and its higher price. Vietnam shrimp exports to the UK increased by 6.6% in the period. Remarkably, in the EU bloc, Vietnam shrimp exports to the Netherlands showed the highest y-o-y increase of 25%.
China
Vietnam shrimp exports to China in the first 7 months of this year reached US$249.2 million; up 38% over the same period last year. Demand for importing shrimp by China is increasing strongly due to higher demand for domestic consumption, increase in people's incomes and down in domestic supply of shrimp.
Last year, China imported 300,000 MT of shrimp to meet the demand for fresh and processed shrimp in the domestic market. China is expected to remain high demand for importing shrimp in the coming period.
Japan
Shrimp exports to Japan as of July this year reached US$283.8 million USD; down 8.2% from the same period last year. Exports to this market went down due to higher price of shrimp imported into Japan despite yen’s strength. The higher price was attributable to decrease in raw shrimp supply from producers.
Vietnam shrimp exports in the coming months is expected to continue the rise in spite of unfavorable weather for domestic shrimp production.
By Kim Thu
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
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
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Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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