In Jan-Mar this year, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to this market showed the positive growth in January and February but witneesed a slight decrease in March.
The UK, the Netherlands and Germany were top three main importers of Vietnam shrimp in the EU. Shrimp exports to the UK, the largest buyer of Vietnam shrimp in the bloc, dropped 2.8% to eye US$27.8 million in the first three months of this year. After a strong growth throughout 2015 and the first three quarters of 2016, shrimp exports to the UK in the last quarter of 2016 fell by 3.9%. In early 2017, exports to this market grew positively in January and February before declining in March. Although demand for warm-water shrimp in the UK remained high thanks to reasonable prices and a drop in supplies of cold-water shrimp. However, Vietnam shrimp exports to the UK were unstable due to Brexit.
Like the UK, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Germany valued at US$18.4 million, falling by 22.8% over the same period in 2016.
Out of top three main shrimp importing markets of Vietnam in the EU, shipments to the Netherlands recorded the highest growth of 82.5% to hit US$26.5 million. The Netherlands was currently the second largest importer of Vietnam shrimp in the EU. In 2016, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the Netherlands reported the continuous growth. Particularly in the first three months of 2017, shrimp exports to the market posted the 2-3 digrit growth over the same period in 2016.
Imports of whiteleg shrimp from Vietnam into the Netherlands took up the main proportion of 69% and those of black tiger shrimp accounted for 21% of total exports. For whiteleg shrimp products, exports of processed items (HS code 16) to the Netherlands were higher than those of live/fresh/frozen items (HS code 03). For black tiger shrimp products, the Netherlands preferred ecports of live/fresh/frozen items (HS code 03) than those of processed items (HS code 16).
In 2016, the top 5 largest shrimp suppliers to the Netherlands was India (accounting for 17.6% of total shrimp imports into the Netherlands); Vietnam (accounting for 15.6%); Morocco (12.3%); Bangladesh (12.2%) and Germany (8%).
Of the two largest shrimp suppliers to the Netherlands (India and Vietnam), in 2016, the Netherlands tended to imports shrimp from Vietnam with higher volume thanks to stable quality products, Vietnamese sellers enjoyed tax incentives for exports to the market.
Top three major shrimp suppliers to the EU in 2016 were Ecuador, India and Vietnam. While India tends to reduce exports of shrimp to the EU, Ecuador and Vietnam are increasingly boosting shrimp exports to the market. Currently, Ecuador is Vietnam's main competitor in the EU.
In the coming time, the EU continues to be an important importing market of Vietnamese shrimp thanks to stable demand. Besides, Vietnam’s shrimp suppliers are entitled to GSP incentives for exports to the market.
Written by Kim Thu
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
(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