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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(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.
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