Each year Australia imports an average of about 40,000 MT of shrimp from other countries. In 5 years (2013-2017), the import volume of shrimp into Australia reached the highest level of 44.5 thousand MT in 2014.
In 2017, Australian shrimp imports totaled 32.3 thousand MT, worth by US$340.4 million, down 21% in volume but up 14% in value compared to 2016. Vietnam was the largest shrimp supplier to Australia, accounting for 32.9% of total Australian shrimp imports. Thailand was the second largest, accounting for 27.4%; followed by China with 25.5%. Australia's shrimp imports from the three biggest suppliers (Vietnam, Thailand and China) all increased by 32.9%, 27.4% and 25.5%, respectively over 2016.
Imports of frozen raw warm water shrimp (HS code 030617) took the largest share of total shrimp imports into Australia, followed by processed shrimp (HS160521). In 2017, imports of frozen raw warm water shrimp accounted for 48.6% of shrimp imports into Australia while those of processed shrimp picked up nearly 30%.
In this period, imports of processed shrimp into the country increased by 90% while those of frozen raw shrimp decreased by 9% due to a ban on uncooked shrimp imports in early 2017. Shrimp prices on the Australian market during this period also increased by 10-15% due to a fall in supplies. Although Australia has now lifted the import ban, with the stricter import conditions, imports of frozen raw shrimp into the country remain low.
On the Australian market, Vietnam shrimp has competitive prices. In 2017, the import price of Vietnam shrimp into Australia quoted at US$10.7/kg; that from Thailand and China was US$10.69/kg and US$10/kg, respectively; and that from India was US$13.5/kg. More and more Australian consumers choose frozen shrimp imported from Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam thanks to lower prices and improved quality.
In 2017, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Australia hit nearly US$120 million, up 4.6% over 2016. In the first month of 2018, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Australia showed many positive signs with the growth rate of 169.7% to eye nearly US$11 million.
Processed shrimp made up 78% of Vietnam’s total shrimp exports to this market. In the past 5 years, Vietnam has always been the largest supplier of processed shrimp to Australia.
The demand for shrimp in the market keeps quite high due to the limited catch and processed production of shrimp in the country because of high labor force. Shrimp consumption increased rapidly while domestic supply was not enough to meet demand.
During the first week of March 2017, the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources sent a delegation to Vietnam to inspect and evaluate the process and quality of shrimp production in Vietnam.
During this visit, experts from Australia's Department of Agriculture and Water Resources have a very positive view of the Vietnamese shrimp industry. Accordingly, the shrimp industry has approached and applied many solutions and modern technology in production to improve productivity and product quality.
Australian importers appreciate Vietnam shrimp very well. Early evaluations of safe and good production have shown the prospect of Vietnamese whole shrimp exports to Australia.
Currently, more than 90% of shrimp products in Australia are imported. Each year the value of Vietnam's seafood exports to Australia took a low proportion, mainly cooked shrimp. This shows that there is a big opportunity to export whole fresh shrimp to the market.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
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