Some key markets in the EU bloc recorded notable growth: Germany increased by 24%, Belgium by 31% and France by nearly 20%. However, the Netherlands - a traditionally large market, experienced a slight decline of 4%. This reflects shifts in consumption patterns and segmentation within the EU market that Vietnamese businesses need to grasp.
Regarding product structure, whiteleg shrimp remained the dominant product with an export value of 206 million USD, accounting for 81,9% of total exports to the EU and growing by 17.8%. Notably, both main product categories of whiteleg shrimp showed strong growth: processed shrimp (HS16) reached 97,4 million USD, up 17%, while live/fresh/frozen shrimp (HS03) reached 108,7 million USD, up 18,6%.
Black tiger shrimp exports amounted to 25 million USD, accounting for 9,9%, but saw a slight decrease of 7,1% year-on-year. Specifically, frozen products decreased by 7,6%, while processed black tiger shrimp fell by 3,9%, indicating that demand for black tiger shrimp has not strongly recovered in the EU market.
Other types of shrimp achieved 20,7 million USD, surging by 33,2%. Notably, other processed products (HS16) rose by 50%, showing that the EU is expanding its consumption of non-traditional marine shrimp, particularly high-value-added processed products that suitable for the region’s growing demands for convenience and food safety standards.
Trend of shifting from the US to the EU: A “safe haven” amid tariff volatility
Amid former President Trump’s plans to impose countervailing tariffs on global goods imported into the US, Vietnamese shrimp is no exception in the unstable global trade environment. The EU emerges as a safe destination with lower policy risks. Exporters from Vietnam, India, and Indonesia are gradually redirecting orders to this market. Additionally, the EU’s economic recovery post-pandemic and controlled inflation have also boosted consumer demand.
According to statistics from Rabobank and Kontali, EU shrimp import demand has been steadily rising since early 2024. In the first half of 2025, shrimp imports to the EU are estimated to have increased by 25% with sales to other European countries also grew by 8%.
Per Kontali, as of week 23 (June 2 - 8, 2025), EU imports from Ecuador surged by 49% compared to the same period last year while imports from India rose by 42%.
A market with stringent quality demands
To boost shrimp exports to the EU, businesses must meet the bloc’s stringent technical requirements. Importers are increasingly focused on:
- Transparency and clear traceability
- Compliance with certifications such as ASC, Global G.AP and Organic
Moreover, the EU tends to prioritize high-quality, branded and well-packaged products, particularly peeled whiteleg shrimp, naturally farmed black tiger shrimp and eco-certified products. Madagascar is a typica example, having successfully built a national brand for its black tiger shrimp that commands high prices in the French market.
Therefore, Vietnamese businesses aiming to increase exports to the EU need very specific marketing strategies to build brand recognition for their products.
Additionally, the EU retail market offers significant future opportunities as grocery chains are becoming more price-sensitive due to rising costsas, while restaurants and foodservice businesses are increasingly price-sensitive.
Whds should be done to maintain the advantage in the EU market?
To sustain and expand market share in the EU in the second half of 2025 and beyond, Vietnamese shrimp exporters should consider:
- Repositioning competitive strategies: Shift from price competition to focusing on quality, sustainability and transparency.
- Developing premium products: Focus on organic shrimp, ASC-certified shrimp and branded black tiger shrimp that align with European retail preferences.
- Enhancing traceability: Apply technologies such as QR codes and blockchain to demonstrate clear origin.
- Penetrating green retail systems: Target chains like Lidl, Aldi and Waitrose which prioritize eco-certified and transparent products.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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