In September, although shrimp exports still increased by 13% over the same period last year, this is not an optimistic trend because at the same time last year, many processing and exporting enterprises had to stop or reduce their activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Notably, the export value in September this year recorded a decrease compared to the previous months, specifically 12% decrease compared to August.
Inflation in the US and EU is increasing day by day. The devaluation of EUR, Pound, and Yen reduce purchasing power. Although the USD value is increasing, Vietnamese shrimp has to compete strongly with cheap shrimp from Ecuador and India in the US market. Therefore, shrimp exports to the US decreased sharply, and exports to the EU slowed down. Enterprises take advantage of the close geographical distance from Asian markets, so exports to these markets are more active.
The domestic shrimp farming is not favorable, making the price of commercial shrimp quite high, adding disadvantages to processing enterprises. Shrimp exports from September to the end of the year is forecasted to continue the decline. Shrimp export turnover this year is expected to approximate or increase slightly compared to last year.
Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US in September 2022 reached 57 million USD, down 42% over the same period. Accumulating 9 months, shrimp exports to this market reached 675 million USD, down 13% compared to the same period last year. Among the main import markets, the US is the market that recorded the biggest drop in export value.
According to US shrimp import data, this country's shrimp imports in August this year reached 71,666 tons, worth $665 million, down 20% in volume and 19% in value compared to August last year. Shrimp imports into the US from India, Indonesia, and Thailand also decreased, imports from Vietnam decreased the most. Only imports from Ecuador recorded a slight increase.
Rising inflation, high inventories, decrease in purchasing power, transportation and cold storage problems due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic were reasons why the US reduced shrimp imports. By the end of the year, if inventories are reduced, the demand for shrimp in the US may increase slightly to serve the year-end festival.
Vietnam's shrimp exports to the EU in September 2022 also decreased by 0.5% to $ 49 million. Exports to the Netherlands only increased slightly by 1% while exports to Belgium decreased by 13%. Accumulating 9 months, shrimp exports to this market increased by 40% to over 570 million USD.
Contrary to the downward trend to the US and EU markets, Vietnam's shrimp exports to Japan and South Korea increased by 61% and 20% respectively. Accumulating 9 months, the export value to these two markets reached USD 515 million and USD 365 million, up 24% and 40% respectively over the same period last year.
Notably, in September 2022, Vietnam's shrimp exports to China increased by more than 100%, reaching $70 million. This increase makes China surpass the US, becoming Vietnam's largest shrimp import market in September. Accumulating 9 months, shrimp exports to China reached US$483 million, up 62% over the same period.
China's domestic shrimp production declined due to adverse weather and shrimp diseases in some major shrimp production areas. The demand for shrimp imports increased to serve the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, leading to the increase in shrimp imports.
According to China Customs, in August 2022, China's shrimp imports reached $680 million, up 97% compared to August 2021. This is the second consecutive month that China's shrimp imports reached a record high. Accumulated in the first 8 months of the year, China's shrimp imports reached US$3.8 billion, up 66% over the same period in 2021.
In August 2022, China's shrimp imports from main sources all increased compared to the same period in 2021. Notably, China sharply increased shrimp imports from Ecuador, Canada, Indonesia and Argentina.
Shrimp imports into China increased continuously to a record level in July and August this year, showing that the demand for domestic consumption and export processing of this market is at a high level. It is expected that China's shrimp imports in the last months of 2022 will continue to increase dramatically.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
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
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn
