By the end of the first quarter, the US still accounted for the highest proportion in the total shrimp exports of Vietnam with over 20%, reaching 134.6 million USD, up 16.5% over the same period last year. Japan ranked second with 126 million USD, accounting for 19%, but compared to the same period in 2020, it decreased 4%, due to a sharp decline in the first 2 months of the year, although exports to this market in March were equivalent to the same period last year.
Shrimp exports to the EU increased by 8% to 95 million USD, accounting for 14.5% of which exports to the main markets of the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium all grew 2 digits (up 10%, 16% and 10% respectively). These markets also increased strongly Vietnam shrimp imports in March: up 15%, 33% and 38% respectively. These three markets account for over 70% of Vietnam's shrimp exports to the EU.
The two markets Australia and the UK are accounting for a remarkable proportion in the total shrimp exports of Vietnam in the first 3 months of this year with 6.2% and 6.1%, worth $40.9 million and $40.4 million, increase 46% and 11.5% respectively over the same period in 2020.
In addition to the UK, shrimp consumption in Russia also increased sharply, making shrimp imports from Vietnam up 102% in the first quarter, reaching $11.2 million.
In the first quarter of 2021, whiteleg shrimp is still the most popular in the markets. In the context of the Covid epidemic, the consumption trend focuses on retail channels and supermarkets, so small shrimp suitable for home processing has more demand than large, high priced shrimp. Vannamei exports in the first quarter reached $ 507 million, up 15% over the same period last year, accounting for nearly 77% of shrimp export turnover. In which, processed whiteleg shrimp (HS code 16) gained a higher proportion with 263 million USD, up 22%, while frozen shrimp (HS 03 code) reached 243 million USD, up by 8%.
Meanwhile, black tiger shrimp exports continued to decline by 26%, reaching nearly 92 million USD and only accounting for 14% of shrimp exports. Japan, China and the US - the three largest markets, all sharply reduced the import of black tiger shrimp from Vietnam, down 24%, 30% and 41% respectively over the same period last year.
Export of marine shrimp accounted for 9.5% of the total export of shrimp, reaching US$ 62.7 million, down 3% over the same period last year. In which, the export of processed shrimp and frozen shrimp decreased by 8.7% and 10%, respectively. Meanwhile, the export of dried shrimp increased sharply by double compared to the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
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