Vietnam’s shrimp exports rebounded thanks to a rise in demand from major importing. The area of brackish water shrimp farming in the first 8 months of the year estimated at over 679,000 hectares, up 4.2% over the same period last year; with the yield of over 363,000 MT, up 21.4% year on year.
In Vietnam's shrimp export structure, shipments of whiteleg shrimp remained to account for the highest proportion of 64.2%; those of black tiger shrimp were 24.5% and those of marine shrimp took up 11.2%. The export proportion of whiteleg shrimp increased from 60.4% in Jan-Aug 2016 to 64.2% in the period, that of marine shrimp increased from 8.2% to 11.2% and that of black tiger shrimp dipped from 31.4% to 24.5%. Sales of whiteleg shrimp hit US$1.2 billion; up 29% while those of black tiger shrimp reached US$605.9 million; down 5% over the same period last year. Of that, exports of processed black tiger shrimp witnessed the deepest decrease of 29% year on year.
Top 10 main importers of Vietnam shrimp included the EU, Japan, China, the U.S, South Korea, Canada, Australia, ASEAN, Taiwan and Switzerland. Of that, exports to most of these markets showed the positive growth but the U.S.
EU
According to data from Vietnam customs, in the first 8 months of 2017, the EU became the largest buyer of Vietnam shrimp. Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU in the period reached US$483.6 million, increasing by 30% year on year.
Through Aug 2017, exports to top 3 largest shrimp importers (the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium) in the EU posted the 2-digit growth of 46.5%; 47.8% and 34.1%, respectively. Vietnam’s shrimp sales to the EU currently were positive as EU consumers prefer value-added seafood products and increase imports to meet the demand of year-end festivals.
This is a good sign, which facilitates Vietnam’s shrimp exports to this market in the last months of the year in the context of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is coming into effect.
In the first half of this year, EU shrimp imports from other suppliers including Vietnam benefited from the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Ecuador and the EU. Each year, the EU imports about 40,000 MT of whiteleg shrimps with the tariffs of 0% under the tariff-quota system. This will help to boost Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU.
In addition, the EU is stepping up inspections of shrimp lots from India and tends to reduce shrimp imports from the country. While India is Vietnam's main competitor in the EU market, imports into the EU from Vietnam expected to rise to offset the decrease in imports from India.
The U.S
The U.S dropped to the 4th rank in top leading shrimp importer of Vietnam in the first 8 months of this year. Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the US valued at nearly US$416 million; down 4.4% over the same period in 2016.
Shrimp shipments to the U.S in the first half of this year were on the downward trend due to a climb in the anti-dumping duties that the Department of Commerce (DOC) announced in the preliminary decision on its 11th administrative review (POR11) and the dollar's depreciation due to the impact of President Donald Trump's new policies on domestic production protection.
In addition, the strong competition from India (Vietnam's main competitor in the U.S) has also reduced Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market.
Vietnam’s shrimp sales to the U.S tended to go up from May to August this year. Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market in the last months of the year forecasted to increase thanks to high demand at the end of the year.
Thanks to the good demand from Asian markets (Japan, China, South Korea) and the EU, Vietnam’s shrimp exports in 2017 are projected to total US$3.4 billion; up 6% compared to 2016.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2026 marks a period of strong growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, but it is also a time when international export competition is becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 99 million in 2025, up 140% compared to the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, export value reached USD 49 million, a 151% increase year-on-year. As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to rise, Vietnam is emerging as a noteworthy competitor to traditional tilapia powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Egypt.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets showed varying trends across regions and countries. The Middle East recorded strong growth, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the largest Asian market for Vietnamese tilapia. ASEAN markets also expanded significantly, driven primarily by Malaysia. Meanwhile, Japan maintained solid growth, while exports to South Korea declined compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp and pangasius continued to lead growth, helping seafood exports reach $4.67 billion in the first five months of the year; however, differentiation among product groups and increasingly stringent requirements from importing markets are posing many challenges for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
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