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) 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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