Vietnamese shrimp packagers and exporters are dedicated to adhering to both national and international standards regarding food safety, hygiene, environmental protection, and labor rights. This commitment is evidenced by the increasing number of factories holding EU codes, nearly 100% of processing facilities operating under HACCP standards, and many achieving prestigious certifications such as ASC, Global GAP, and BAP.
To maintain the integrity of our production processes, Vietnamese regulatory agencies conduct dozens of inspections and audits each year on production conditions. In addition, third-party certification bodies perform yearly audits at our facilities, alongside inspections from retailers and partners of Vietnamese exporters. These rigorous measures demonstrate our unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards in shrimp production.
We wish to address concerns raised by a recent online report from Sustainability Incubator, published on September 12. This report contains inaccuracies that may lead to misunderstandings about the Vietnamese shrimp industry. For instance, it features images of shrimp drying practices that pertain to small-scale local consumption rather than the regulated production processes for export. Additionally, the portrayal of fish meal production in Ba Ria Vung Tau does not accurately reflect our shrimp feed practices, as our shrimp feed does not include such fish meal as an ingredient.
The report's claim that the price of Vietnamese shrimp has plummeted from $11 to $5 per kilogram is misleading. It lacks clarity on the specific type of shrimp referenced, whether whole, headless, or peeled. Pricing should be assessed based on specific sizes and product types, as a direct comparison between premium and lower-grade shrimp is not valid. While shrimp prices have experienced fluctuations globally due to factors such as COVID-19, inflation, and geopolitical conflicts, current averages for Vietnamese shrimp remain around $10 per kilogram, positioning us among the highest in the global market. Our industry has successfully managed price reductions through the efforts of businesses, particularly larger companies, in improving processing standards.
The Vietnamese shrimp value chain continuously strives to obtain BAP, ASC, GLOBAL G.A.P, and Bio EU certifications. Achieving these standards requires compliance with all Vietnamese regulations, with certification bodies conducting unscheduled evaluations throughout the year. This means that our shrimp businesses must consistently adhere to high standards to maintain these certifications. The report raises questions about the validity of these certifications, as well as social security assessments conducted by leading organizations in the field.
We believe this report lacks scientific basis, authenticity, and objectivity due to methodological errors and the manner in which surveys and interviews were conducted, leading to distorted conclusions about the Vietnamese shrimp industry. Notably, the research team interviewed only 151 individuals, of whom just 42 were from shrimp production facilities. This small sample size is insufficient to represent the over one million workers in the industry. Furthermore, the lack of transparency regarding the questionnaire content and the timing and location of interviews undermines the report's reliability.
VASEP strongly disputes the inaccuracies and assessments presented in this report regarding Vietnam's shrimp industry.
We are committed to transparency and integrity in our industry and invite stakeholders and consumers to engage with us directly to gain a comprehensive understanding of Vietnam's shrimp production practices and the stringent measures we have in place to ensure sustainability and quality.
About VASEP
VASEP represents Vietnam's seafood processing and exporting industry, comprising 320 business members that account for 84-85% of the country's total seafood export turnover. The shrimp sector alone generates an annual export value of $3.5 to $4 billion, with high-quality, diverse products reaching over 100 markets worldwide. VASEP is dedicated to promoting sustainable development, ensuring product quality, and enhancing the global competitiveness of Vietnamese seafood.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Le Hang
Communication Director
Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP)
Email: lehang@vasep.com.vn
(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