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
(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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