In July this year, shrimp exports recorded growth in most major consuming markets such as the US, China, and the EU. In July, markets like Japan and South Korea, which had seen declines or only slight increases in the previous months, recorded double-digit growth rates.
Reduced inventory and increased demand for imports to serve the year-end holidays caused these markets to increase their imports. In addition, the price of raw shrimp from producing countries around the world and Vietnam is also trending upwards, which positively impacts the export shrimp prices.
For the US market, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US increased by 16% to $89 million in July. Cumulatively in the first 7 months, shrimp exports to this market reached $391 million, up 4% compared to the same period last year.
Inventory levels in the US have decreased, and retailers need to replenish their stocks before the year-end holiday season. Positive news about the US economy, such as a slight increase in retail sales in July compared to the same period last year, as well as growth in consumer spending, business investment and exports, wage increases, and low unemployment rate, indicate that inflation in the US is showing signs of cooling down. Frozen shrimp remains the leading product among the best-selling retail items in the US.
US shrimp import demand is expected to continue growing in the third quarter, and prices are expected to increase slightly from July onwards.
According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the US, in the first 6 months of the year, the US imported 351,025 tons of shrimp, valued at $2.7 billion, down 3% in volume and 6% in value compared to the same period in 2023.
For the China & Hong Kong market, Vietnam's shrimp exports to this market have shown a recovery trend in July with double-digit growth compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively in the first 7 months, shrimp exports to this market reached $399 million, up 18% compared to the same period last year.
Vietnam's shrimp exports to China have resumed growth thanks to increased import demand from this market. In addition, Ecuador (Vietnam's main competitor in the Chinese market) has faced strict inspections from China, and some of its shipments were rejected in June due to residues of sodium metabisulfite. This has affected Ecuador's shrimp exports to China.
Export enterprises continue to face challenges such as rising sea freight costs and global conflict risks. Shrimp farming activities in August and September will also be affected by heavy rains, which may lead to a lower supply of commercial shrimp from now until the end of the year. However, enterprises have also developed their own strategies, such as securing contracts for the whole year and increasing raw material inventory. It is expected that in the last months of the year, the global economy and key import markets will show better signals, allowing the shrimp industry to achieve its goals for 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The EU remains a critical market for Vietnamese shrimp; however, purchasing demand and import patterns are undergoing notable changes. According to Vietnam Customs data, as of September 15, 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU reached nearly $374 million, down 5% year-over-year and accounting for 10.7% of the country’s total shrimp export value. Meanwhile, the EU’s stotal shrimp imports through July 2026 contracted by 7% in volume, exhibiting divergent trends across Southern Europe, Northwestern Europe and Eastern Europe. These dynamics necessitate that Vietnamese enterprises closely monitor individualized market demand, rather than approaching the EU as a monolithic consumer block.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of surimi and fish cakes remained relatively stable year-over-year compared to 2025. Following a contraction in the initial months, export performance demonstrated improvement from June onward, peaking in August. However, the recovery has been uneven, characterized by divergent trends across major markets: robust growth was recorded in China, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, and Taiwan, whereas export volumes to South Korea, Indonesia, and select European markets contracted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains one of Dong Thap’s key aquaculture species, with the province focusing on developing an integrated value chain covering seed production, commercial farming, deep processing and by-product utilization. The province is promoting high-tech, circular pangasius farming models featuring reduced water exchange and enhanced biosecurity, aiming to improve production efficiency and strengthen control over raw material quality.
(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.
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