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$135.4 million.
Thanks to double digit growth in the first three months of this year, Japan has become Vietnam's largest shrimp importer from the third rank.
Vietnam stayed as the biggest supplier of frozen shrimp (HS code 030617) to Japan, accounting for 61% of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to this market. Frozen shrimp (mainly whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp) picked up 90% of total shrimp consumption in Japan. Frozen shrimp is one of main parts in traditional Japanese dishes such as sushi and tempura.
In Japan, this item from Vietnam has to compete strongly in price with the same products from Indonesia, China, India and Thailand.
|
Shrimp imports into Japan, QI/2017 |
|||
|
Suppliers |
QI/2016 |
QI/2017 |
Variation (%) |
|
World |
460,912 |
493,279 |
7.0 |
|
Vietnam |
100,421 |
127,573 |
27.0 |
|
Thailand |
79,182 |
90,163 |
13.9 |
|
Indonesia |
78,711 |
80,637 |
2.4 |
|
India |
58,672 |
38,770 |
-33.9 |
|
China |
27,960 |
28,371 |
1.5 |
|
Argentina |
23,794 |
27,420 |
15.2 |
|
Russia |
12,697 |
24,316 |
91.5 |
|
Canada |
17,619 |
13,994 |
-20.6 |
|
Myanmar |
8,149 |
8,397 |
3.0 |
|
Mexico |
4,511 |
7,213 |
59.9 |
|
(Source: ITC; thousand US$) |
|||
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
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
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn