The Mekong Delta's shrimp exports have grown impressively
Mr. Tran Van Trung, Director of Anh Khoa Seafood Company Limited (Ca Mau), said that the prolonged Covid-19 epidemic had affected shrimp exports, as some countries controlled imports more strictly. Congestion, delays at foreign import ports due to quarantine waiting, has led to increased costs for exporting companies.
However, thanks to the initiative and good adaptation, from the beginning of 2021 to now, his company's shrimp exports of all kinds have increased significantly over the same period. Forecasting for the whole year of 2021, the company's exports will increase 2-3 times compared to last year.
As one of the long-term businesses in the shrimp industry and also facing many waves due to the Covid-19 epidemic, Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, representative of Minh Cuong Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, confided: “Our company's shrimp exports in the first months of 2021 grew quite well. Currently, the company is trying to maintain production, exports and implements strict measures to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic, with the determination not to let the disease spread into the factory"
According to the Department of Industry and Trade of Ca Mau province, by the end of May 2021, the province's shrimp exports are estimated at more than $423 million, reaching 40% of the year plan, up more than 16% over the same period. In Bac Lieu, the total value of shrimp exports in the first five months of the year was estimated at about $280 million, up more than 9% over the same period. In other provinces in the Mekong Delta, shrimp exports also grew positively compared to the same period last year.
Along with increased exports, many shrimp farmers in the Mekong Delta continue to expand production. Mr. Pham Van Quan, living in My Long Nam commune, Cau Ngang district (Tra Vinh) said: "A few months ago, the price of black tiger shrimp of 30 pc/kg reached 200,000 - 220,000 VND/kg, now it has decreased to about 170,000 VND/kg ; Vannamei shrimp size 30 pc/kg is currently about 130,000 - 140,000 VND/kg ... at these prices, farmers still ensure profits.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in May 2021, Vietnam's seafood exports reached about 790 million USD, up 24%; Cumulative seafood exports in the first 5 months of 2021 reached 3.27 billion USD, up 14% over the same period in 2020. Of which, shrimp exports reached 1.33 billion USD, up 14% over the same period. This is an impressive result at a time when many other agricultural products are struggling to find the direction of consumption.
Many potential markets for Vietnamese shrimp
In the first 5 months of 2021, Vietnam's seafood products are exported to over 120 markets; in which the US, Japan, EU, China, Korea, ASEAN, Australia... are the seafood export markets with the largest value.
Shrimp export has the advantage that import demand in the world is increasing strongly, especially in large markets. While the supply of shrimp from some countries such as India, Thailand and others was reduced due to the bad impact of the Covid-19 epidemic. Taking advantage of this, our country's enterprises accelerated shrimp exports in the first months of the year and obtained good results.
It is forecasted that in the coming time, the US will continue to be a market with good growth for Vietnam's shrimp products. Vietnamese enterprises also expect to increase shrimp exports to the EU, mainly vannamei shrimp. For the Korean market, there are also good signs of recovery, positive economic growth, so seafood trade with Korean enterprises will be more exciting in the coming time.
Other markets such as Australia, Canada, UK, Russia ... will continue to be new potential markets, because demand increases and there are no uncertainties or market barriers...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2026 marks a period of strong growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, but it is also a time when international export competition is becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 99 million in 2025, up 140% compared to the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, export value reached USD 49 million, a 151% increase year-on-year. As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to rise, Vietnam is emerging as a noteworthy competitor to traditional tilapia powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Egypt.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets showed varying trends across regions and countries. The Middle East recorded strong growth, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the largest Asian market for Vietnamese tilapia. ASEAN markets also expanded significantly, driven primarily by Malaysia. Meanwhile, Japan maintained solid growth, while exports to South Korea declined compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp and pangasius continued to lead growth, helping seafood exports reach $4.67 billion in the first five months of the year; however, differentiation among product groups and increasingly stringent requirements from importing markets are posing many challenges for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(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.
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
