Asian markets drive growth
China and Hong Kong remained the main growth engine, with exports reaching approximately USD 845 million, up 44% year-on-year and accounting for 36% of Vietnam's total shrimp export value. The United States ranked second with nearly USD 809 million, representing 47%.
Exports to Japan, South Korea, and Australia all recorded positive growth. Combined exports to these three markets reached approximately USD 271 million, accounting for 16% of total exports. Exports to the European Union (EU) also posted modest growth of 2%.
Notably, shrimp exports to the United Kingdom increased by 62% in June, reaching USD 32 million. However, cumulative exports to the UK during the first six months totaled around USD 290 million.
June growth largely driven by lobster exports
Whiteleg shrimp remained Vietnam's leading export product, generating nearly USD 1.39 billion in the first half of the year, accounting for 59% of total shrimp exports and increasing 9% year-on-year. Black tiger shrimp exports reached approximately USD 230 million, up 8%.
The strongest growth came from lobster exports, which reached nearly USD 585 million, up 44% and accounting for 25% of total shrimp export value. In June alone, lobster exports reached nearly USD 71 million, an increase of 48%.
This result reflects the increasingly important role of lobster alongside whiteleg and black tiger shrimp. However, future growth is expected to depend largely on the Chinese market. Vietnam's green lobster exports to China continue to face challenges related to broodstock supply, traceability requirements, and import regulations.
Rising logistics costs continue to squeeze profits
Alongside tariff pressures, rising logistics costs remain a major challenge for shrimp production, processing, and exports. Ocean freight rates, container leasing fees, storage charges, insurance costs, and the difficulty of securing vessel space have all increased, while shipping schedules remain unstable.
For the shrimp industry, which relies heavily on cold-chain transportation, rising freight costs continue to erode profit margins, particularly for low-value processed products.
To reduce logistics-related pressures, management agencies, industry associations, and businesses need to strengthen cooperation with shipping lines to secure more competitive freight rates, coordinate loading schedules, ensure container availability, and maintain stable shipping services for seafood exports.
Exporters should also proactively develop more flexible delivery plans, diversify transport options, negotiate more appropriate shipping terms, and increase the proportion of processed, value-added products to improve efficiency and reduce the impact of logistics costs on business performance.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.
(vasep.com.vn) The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) 2026 is taking place from September 1–3 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, bringing together around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing approximately 300 companies and organizations across the shrimp supply chain. Representatives from VASEP are attending the event as part of the Vietnamese delegation, strengthening connections with partners across the global shrimp industry.
(vasep.com.vn) At the international B2B seminar (Hosted Buyer Program) held as part of Vietfish 2026, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Pham, Sales Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, delivered a presentation entitled “Vietnam’s Shrimp Industry: Changing for Sustainability.” From the perspective of a seafood processor, the presentation highlighted that Vietnam’s shrimp industry continues to play a leading role in seafood exports, but is entering a new phase of competition in which change is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) VIETFISH 2026 may have concluded after three dynamic days in Ho Chi Minh City, but conversations around the exhibition continue to resonate across international trade media, industry organizations, and the social media channels of participating companies.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(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.
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