Exports to the US, EU, and Korea reversed
In April this year, Vietnam's shrimp exports saw a change in import trends in the main markets. If in previous months, exports to the US and China and Hong Kong recorded strong growth rates, in April this year, exports to the US decreased and to China and Hong Kong only increased slightly.
Exports to the Korean market increased slightly again after decreasing in the previous two months. After 2 months of deep decline, exports to the EU market recovered growth in April. The EU is the main market, recording the best growth in April this year.
Shrimp exports to the US in April 2024 decreased by 15% after still growing slightly in March. In the first 4 months of this year, Vietnamese shrimp exports to the US reached 168 million USD, up 5% over the same period.
Shrimp imports into the US from supply sources in the first quarter of this year recorded an increase in volume and a slight decrease in value. In March of this year, the US again skyrocketed shrimp imports from Ecuador, with an increase of 25% and 24% in volume and value, respectively. This may cause the US to reduce imports from other sources.
Vietnam's shrimp industry is in the "suspense" stage due to information related to countervailing duties. Currently, the US is considering recognizing Vietnam as a market economy, hoping to achieve positive results that will help remove countervailing duties barriers and relieve the burden on Vietnamese shrimp exporters that go to America.
Vietnamese shrimp exports to China and Hong Kong markets increased by 1.7% to 64 million USD in April this year. Accumulated in the first 4 months of the year, shrimp export turnover to this market reached 192 million USD, an increase of 41%. Shrimp exports to Korea also recorded a slight increase of 4% in April this year, and the turnover in the first 4 months of this year to this market reached 95 million USD, down 10%.
EU was the bright spot in April
Shrimp exports to the EU reached 38 million USD in April this year, up 28% over the same period. Accumulated in 4 months, the export value reached 119 million USD, almost equivalent to the same period last year.
In April, shrimp exports to the EU were quite exciting. Export value to the main single markets in the bloc all grew by double digits. Exports to Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium increased by 29%, 37%, and 39%, respectively; exports to Denmark increased sharply by 88%.
The Global Seafood Exhibition 2024 takes place in Spain in April with the participation of many Vietnamese shrimp exporters. Here, fresh value-added shrimp products from Vietnam were promoted to European consumers and imports. Instant shrimp products are processed by businesses into many rich and diverse dishes and invited to enjoy right at the booths.
Vietnam's shrimp exports in the first 4 months of the year recorded an increase of 10% over the same period, a sign that inventories in markets have reduced. However, actual consumer demand has not yet shown a clear recovery. In the context of still facing many challenges, Vietnam's shrimp industry should promote the production of value-added products, focusing more on the farming stage to increase productivity, reduce costs, and increase competitiveness to increase export turnover. this year.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
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