In the period between January and August 2012, shrimp exports value dropped by 1.8 percent compared to the same time last year and as of September 2012, the figure sank by 3.9 percent.
According to statistics of General Department of Viet Nam Customs, as of September 2012, shrimp sales to abroad gained over US$1.62 billion, down 3.6 percent over the same period of 2011. As of the late second quarter of 2012, shrimp exports started to be on the decrease: exports in June 2012 saw the decline of 4 percent over that of June 2011, July saw the decline of 6.8 percent and sharp decrease of 21.6 percent was witnessed in August.
In September 2012, shrimp exports fell by 15.8 percent as the result of Japan’s Ethoxyquin inspection on Vietnam shrimp exported to the country.
In July 2012, shrimp exports to Japan – the largest importer of Vietnam shrimp – started to come to a halt, August reported a deep fall of 16.6 percent and to September, the decline was 9.2 percent. The decrease was mainly attributable to that Japan intensified to test Ethoxyquin residue in shrimp consignments originated from Vietnam with maximum residue limits (MRLs) of 0.01 ppm.
In the wake of hardship in the current international markets, Japan becomes an important consuming market of Vietnam shrimp. During the first 6 months of 2012, shrimp exports to the market remained a double digit growth. As of July, exports to the market slowed down as the result of Japan’s strict measure on Ethoxyquin residue controlling in imported shrimp from Vietnam.
When the state hasn’t offered a thorough solution for Ethoxyquin problem, in an effort to keep the consuming market, many shrimp enterprises themselves have to manage on solving the problem. They tried applying measures of limiting Ethoxyquin residue in raw shrimp.
Within a week before harvesting, they feed shrimp with feed containing low level of protein or stop feeding shrimp within 12 – 16 hours before harvesting. Some enterprises stopped exporting industrial farmed shrimp to Japan and replaced by exporting extensive farmed shrimp to the market. However, these measures are only temporary, exports to Japan are unlikely to recover without strong intervention from the government and relevant authorities.
According to the latest report on Japanese shrimp market, Japan’s inventory of black tiger shrimp remained a small volume due to deep decrease in shrimp imports from Vietnam and India where shrimp exporters are facing regulations on Ethoxyquin residue controlling. Thus, there is a huge demand for black tiger shrimp imported into Japan. Once Ethoxyquin problem is tackled, Vietnam shrimp exports to Japan will rally as well as Vietnam shrimp will regain its good quality and image in other markets.
August 2012 witnessed decline in shrimp exports not only to Japan but also to almost main markets such as the U.S., EU. In September, exports to the markets kept deep decrease in which exports to the U.S. fell 34.3 percent, EU with 24.8 percent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(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.
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