Shrimp exports decreased in the context of technical barriers from importing markets increased, demand for shrimps in the world market decreased due to high inventory. Besides, the supply of raw shrimp was limited, the price of raw shrimp increased, causing factories to lack raw materials for production.
Compared to Feb 2016, the proportion of white shrimp for exports increased (accounting for 63% of total shrimp exports) while the proportion of black tiger shrimp exports decreased (28%), the proportion of marine shrimp increased (9%). Frozen/live/frozen white shrimp (HS 03) reached the highest value of US$129.3 million; Processed white shrimp (HS 16) ranked the second with US$109.1 million USD.
Top 10 main markets included Japan, the EU, the US, China, South Korea, Canada, Australia, ASEAN, Taiwan and Switzerland, accounting for 95.4% of Vietnam shrimp exports.
In February 2017, Vietnam shrimp export value to the US and China decreased by 25% and 8.6%, respectively. In contrast, Japan, the EU, Korea and Canada were prominent markets with good growth. In particular, exports to Japan grew at best 33.6%, South Korea (+ 18.8%); EU (+ 16,2%); Canada (+ 16,6%).
In the first two months of 2017, Japan rose to the top position on shrimp import of Vietnam, accounting for 21.4%. EU ranked second with 19.5%. The US dropped to the third position, accounting for only 18.6% of total shrimp exports of Vietnam.
EU and Japan
In the first two months of 2017, the EU and Japan were two markets showing positive signs of recovery in shrimp imports from Vietnam.
Shrimp exports to Japan began to recover from August 2016 and continued to grow until February this year. If in 2016, shrimp exports to Japan increased only 2.7%, in the first two months of this year, the growth rate reached 33.6% (the highest growth rate in the top shrimp importing markets of Vietnam) with an export value of US$81 million.
Thanks to the competitive export price and agricultural cooperation programs promoting between Vietnam and Japan, exporting shrimp to this market will continue to increase.
In 2016, after slump in the first half of the year, shrimp exports to the EU maintained growth in all months of the second half of the year. Remaining the growth of 2016, exporting shrimp to this market in the first two months of this year increased 16.2% to US$73.7 million.
In the three largest single markets in the block, exports to the UK and the Netherlands grew by 4.3% and 127.1%, respectively, while exports to Germany decreased by 11.5%.
Although not sharply increased, exporting shrimp to the EU in the coming months is forecasted to increase more than 10%.
The US
In 2016, shrimp exports to the US grew well in the first three quarters. Exports have tended to fall in the last quarter of 2016. In the first two months of 2017, shrimp exports to this market reached US$70.4 million; a decrease of 25% compared to the same period of 2016.
After the decline at the beginning of the year, demand for shrimps from the markets will inch up. With the growth momentum of imports from Japan, EU, Korea; Vietnam shrimp exports in March 2017 is expected to slightly increase over the same period in 2016.
By Kim Thu
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
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
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