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) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
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
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