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.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
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