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...
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Lithuania surpassed $14 million, up 8% year on year. While the increase remains modest, it is notable given the continued pressure on Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU as a whole. More importantly, export turnover to Lithuania has shown a clearer recovery in recent months, making the market a destination worth monitoring for Vietnamese businesses in Europe.
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
