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) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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