Among the single markets in the EU bloc, Belgium has outstripped the Netherlands to be put in top 3 largest importers of Vietnam shrimp (the UK, Germany, Belgium). Export value to the UK and Belgium in the first 4 months of this year showed the respective increase of 38.9% and 65.1% while exports to Germany downed 3.9%.
According to ITC, in Jan-Feb 2016, shrimp imports into EU reached US$953.5 million, up 1% year on year, out of top 4 largest shrimp suppliers to EU (India, Ecuador, the Netherlands and Vietnam), imports from India, the Netherlands and Vietnam rose but imports from Ecuador fell.
Among EU bloc, the UK and France was two leading markets. In Jan-Feb 2016, these two markets raises importing shrimp with the respective growh of 4.1% and 2.8%. Belgium, ranking the 7th among leading markets in EU bloc, rose 7.8% in shrimp imports.
The UK: Sharp rise in demand for warmwater shrimp
While EU reduced importing shrimp from Vietnam in 2015, Vietnam shrimp exports to the UK always reported the growth in 2015. In 2014, the UK was the third largest importer of Vietnam shrimp in the EU bloc. In the early 2015, the UK rose to the second rank. Since Aug 2015, the UK has overtaken Germany to become the largest importer of Vietnam shrimp in the EU. In Jan-Apr 2016, Vietnam shrimp exports to the UK reached US$37.3 million, accounting for 4.3% of the Vietnam’s total shrimp exports.
The rise in Vietnam shrimp exports to the UK was attributable to that the market raised importing warmwater shrimp while the supply of coldwater shrimp fell and its price rose.
In the UK retail market, in 52 weeks ended on Apr 23rd 2016, sales of coldwater shrimp downed 12.3% in volume and 2.1% in value from the same period of previous year. The figure fell to 14,226 MT (worth by US$258.3 million) from 16,260 MT (valued at US$265.3 million).
In the period, the price of coldwater shrimp rose to US$18.2/kg, up 11.5% from the same period of previous year due to shortage of shrimp supply.
In the period, the sales of warmwater shrimp rose and surpassed the sales of coldwater shrimp for the first time in the last 3 years. Sales of warmwater shrimp reached 16,445 MT, up 15.4% from 14,252 MT of the same period of previous year. The value reached US$352.7 million, up 9.6% from US$322.9 million.
The sales of warmwater shrimp rose partly thanks to its reasonable price. Its price fell 4.7% for chilled warmwater shrimp (US$24.1/kg) and downed 5.9% for frozen warmwater shrimp (US$17.2/kg).
The global supply of coldwater shrimp expected to decline in the coming time.
In 2015, EU raised importing warmwater shrimp. It is expected that this trend will continue in 2016.
Despite advantages from FTA between Vietnam and the EU (EVFTA), Vietnam shrimp exports to EU in QII/2016 are expected to post a slight rise because uncertainties still exist in the market like migrant crisis and the problems of the Greek economy. Therefore, European importers will not buy for restoring in inventories and they will buy what they really need.
By Kim Thu
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
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