In the first 5 months of this year, Vietnamese businesses have exported shrimp to 103 markets, earning 1.3 billion USD, an increase of 7% over the same period last year. The slight increase in export value compared to the same period is a positive sign, however, the shrimp industry continues to face many challenges as the world economy has not shown signs of recovery, inflation remains high, and the war has not ended.
The US Market
In the first 5 months of this year, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US reached 229 million USD, up 1% from the same period last year. Shrimp exports to the US only increased sharply in January, while decreasing sharply in February, April and May.
In this market, inflation remains high, with high housing, gasoline, and gas costs. In addition, freight rates have increased sharply by 40% since May due to the war in the Middle East and China's hoarding of empty containers in anticipation of new tariffs on exports to the US. Vietnamese shrimp also faces strong price competition with shrimp from Ecuador, India, and Indonesia in the US market.
US shrimp import demand from Vietnam may increase slightly in the third quarter of this year as importers increase purchases to meet end-of-year holiday demand.
The EU Market
Vietnam exported 165 million USD worth of shrimp to Europe in the first five months of this year, an increase of 8% over the same period previous year. After declining in February and March, shrimp exports to the EU increased in April and May.
Due to several factors, including the protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the weakening of the euro against the US dollar, detours that resulted in a 60% increase in freight costs, and China's hoarding of empty containers for export to the US, shrimp consumption in the EU market was extremely slow in the first quarter.
In addition, Vietnamese shrimp will face stronger competition from rival suppliers in this market such as India and Ecuador as these two sources face difficulties with high tariffs in the US market and will therefore reduce prices to increase exports to Europe.
In the coming months, EU shrimp import demand is expected to increase slightly until the end of the year. Demand for HS code imports in this market is expected to grow better than traditional items as inventories have been significantly reduced.
Japanese Market
Vietnam exported $183 million worth of shrimp to Japan in the first five months of this year, a 4% decrease from the same period the previous year. Exports decreased from February to May despite low importer inventory because of the fall of the Yen and high inflation, which made consumers more frugal with their purchasing. In contrast to other markets, Japan's import demand is still comparatively steady, and Vietnam's value-added shrimp continues to give it a competitive advantage over suppliers like Ecuador and India. To meet year-end requirements, Japan's import demand is anticipated to modestly increase starting in September.
Chinese Market
In the first 5 months of this year, Vietnam's shrimp exports to China and Hong Kong reached 260 million USD, up 21% from the same period last year. Exports to this market grew gradually from January to April. And there are signs of a sharp decline in May. The main reason is that Vietnam's shrimp prices are higher than those of rival suppliers.
In the coming months until the end of the year, Ecuador, India and Indonesia will focus more on the Chinese market due to high tariffs imposed by the US, so Vietnamese shrimp will face more difficulties in terms of price, especially whole vannamei shrimp and black tiger shrimp...
Korean Market
Vietnam exported 124 million USD worth of shrimp to South Korea in the first five months of this year, a 9% decrease from the same period the previous year. The weakening of the Vietnamese currency, slow consumption demand, high inflation, and rising interest rates have hindered the recovery of Vietnamese shrimp exports to South Korea. Despite lower stocks, importers are apprehensive to purchase in bulk because of ongoing rising inflation, depreciating currencies, and the approaching peak season, during which they anticipate a reduction in shrimp pricing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
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