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) 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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