Vietnam shrimp exports in February 2022 reached 244.8 million USD, up 55% compared to February 2021. Shrimp exports in February decreased from that in January, as it was around the Lunar New Year period. In the first 2 months of the year, Vietnam shrimp exports reached nearly 558 million USD, up 48% year-on-year. Shrimp exports in January and February had a remarkable growth compared to the same period in previous years.
In the structure of Vietnam's shrimp exports in the first two months of this year, exports of white leg shrimp and black tiger shrimp grew by double digits, at 49% and 54% respectively. Exports decreased only for some marine shrimps. Export of processed shrimp (HS code 16) witnessed the strongest growth of 119%.
The US continues to be Vietnam's largest single shrimp import market, accounting for 21% of the country's total shrimp export turnover. Shrimp exports to the US continued to maintain the growth momentum of 2021. In the first two months of this year, shrimp exports to the US reached 117.5 million USD, up 61% over the same period last year. As the US market reopened after Covid-19, the demand for seafood imports, including shrimp, continued to rebound. Vietnam is still the fourth largest shrimp supplier in the US market after India, Ecuador, and Indonesia.
After a sharp decline of 22% in 2021, there have been signs of recovery for exports to China in the first 2 months of this year. In February 2022, Vietnam's shrimp exports to China reached 21.3 million USD, up 41% compared to February 2021. In the first 2 months of this year, exports to this market reached 39.7 million USD, up 14% over the same period last year.
China is one of the world's largest shrimp-consuming markets with huge food service channels. China's shrimp imports are forecasted to increase sharply in 2022. However, China's regulations and barriers are still strict, especially given the time when China's customs authorities are tightening supervision of imported food products during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enterprises exporting to this market need to ensure the control and prevention of Covid-19 during the production and export of shrimp to China.
It is forecasted that shrimp exports will continue to grow by about 40% in March 2022 thanks to strong market demand. Full-year exports are expected to reach more than 4 billion USD, up 3% compared to 2021.
However, the price of gasoline and oil has increased to a record high in recent years, causing transportation costs to increase, greatly affecting production costs and profits of enterprises. In addition, enterprises still have to face many difficulties such as the high cost of input materials for production, international shipping fees continuing to increase, increasing production costs, and dwindling competitiveness compared to competing countries such as India, Ecuador, Indonesia...
In 2022, the US, EU, and Japan will still be the main export markets for Vietnam's shrimp. Besides, focus on other potential markets such as Canada, Australia, the UK, etc. Russian market will be interrupted due to the risks of payment and transportation and it will be difficult to recover in a short time.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has more or less affected shrimp exports to Russia and Ukraine, although these two markets only account for a very small proportion of Vietnam's total shrimp exports: Russia accounted for 1%, Ukraine accounted for 0.03%. However, this conflict will increase gasoline prices and lead to a series of other input cost increases, affecting prices and profits of processing and exporting companies.
Compiled by Minh Trang
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(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.
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