However, in 2016, shrimp imports into this market for the first time after 6 years showed signs of recovery with the growth rate of 4% to hit US$2.4 billion. Shrimp imports from Thailand and India into Japan increased by 5% and 9%, respectively, while those from in Vietnam and Indonesia were down 2% and 5%, respectively.
In 2016, demand for shrimp from Japan was improved. Market demand for high-end marine and farmed black tiger shrimp climbed up. Sales of semi-processed/peeled/tail-on shrimp and processed shrimp also went up in 2016. Imports of processed/value-added shrimp such as cooked/peeled shrimp, ready to cooked tempura shrimp, shrimp for sushi and other shrimp products accounts for 27% of total shrimp imports into Japan. Demand for peeled/tail-on shrimp (PTO) and frozen raw shell-on shrimps was also high in supermarkets and tempura shrimp processing companies.
Shrimp imports into Japan in the first 3 months of this year following the upward trend of 2016 with the value of US$493.3 million, up 7% over the same period of 2016. Out of top 4 main shrimp suppliers to Japan, imports from Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia increased, in which, imports from Vietnam witnessed the highest rise of 27%; while those from India experienced the deepest dive of 33.9%.
Vietnam remains the largest shrimp supplier to Japan, accounting for 25.9% of the total shrimp imports into the country; followed by Thailand with 18.3%; Indonesia with 16.3% and India with 7.9%. In QI/2017, top largest shrimp suppliers to Japan has not changed since 2015. The average import price of shrimp from Vietnam quoted at US$12/kg.
Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Japan began to recover from August 2016 and continued to grow until March this year. If in 2016, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Japan increased by 2.7%, the figure in Jan-Mar 2017 was 29.6% with the export value of US$135.4 million.
Thanks to double digit growth in the first three months of this year, Japan has become Vietnam's largest shrimp importer from the third rank.
Vietnam stayed as the biggest supplier of frozen shrimp (HS code 030617) to Japan, accounting for 61% of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to this market. Frozen shrimp (mainly whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp) picked up 90% of total shrimp consumption in Japan. Frozen shrimp is one of main parts in traditional Japanese dishes such as sushi and tempura.
In Japan, this item from Vietnam has to compete strongly in price with the same products from Indonesia, China, India and Thailand.
|
Shrimp imports into Japan, QI/2017 |
|||
|
Suppliers |
QI/2016 |
QI/2017 |
Variation (%) |
|
World |
460,912 |
493,279 |
7.0 |
|
Vietnam |
100,421 |
127,573 |
27.0 |
|
Thailand |
79,182 |
90,163 |
13.9 |
|
Indonesia |
78,711 |
80,637 |
2.4 |
|
India |
58,672 |
38,770 |
-33.9 |
|
China |
27,960 |
28,371 |
1.5 |
|
Argentina |
23,794 |
27,420 |
15.2 |
|
Russia |
12,697 |
24,316 |
91.5 |
|
Canada |
17,619 |
13,994 |
-20.6 |
|
Myanmar |
8,149 |
8,397 |
3.0 |
|
Mexico |
4,511 |
7,213 |
59.9 |
|
(Source: ITC; thousand US$) |
|||
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Market fluctuations, rising production costs, and increasingly stringent requirements from export markets are placing growing pressure on the shrimp industry. In response, Vinh Long Province is promoting high-tech shrimp farming integrated with production–consumption value chains to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and enhance the industry's value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports to Japan posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, while a promising new trend has emerged in the value-added product segment. Notably, Vietnamese tilapia fillets have been exported to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, creating new opportunities to enhance the value of the industry in one of the world's most demanding seafood markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program is designed as a specialized B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers, providing opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood exporters, gain the latest market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A project titled "Sustainable Shrimp Industry Governance" has been launched in Ca Mau Province with the aim of supporting the transition of the province's shrimp industry toward higher quality, lower emissions, stronger governance capacity, improved supply chain traceability, and the development of a sustainable shrimp brand that meets the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Khanh Hoa Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and the Van Hung Public Service Center, recently organized a training course on disease-free golden pompano seed production. The program is part of a National Agricultural Extension Project aimed at developing industrial-scale seed production models to support sustainable marine aquaculture.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The application of high technology in shrimp farming is delivering positive results in the coastal areas of Vinh Long Province, contributing to improved production efficiency and creating significant potential for further industry expansion. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, the province is focusing on aquaculture zoning, infrastructure investment, and promoting modern, sustainable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Đồng Tháp Province has intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing by strengthening vessel monitoring, law enforcement and seafood traceability.
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