Whiteleg shrimp remains the key driver, marine shrimp surges sharply
Whiteleg shrimp continues to dominate, generating over $2.2 billion - accounting for 65% of total export value, posting 9% growth year-on-year. Notably, processed whiteleg shrimp (HS16) reached nearly $1 billion, up 12%.
Black tiger shrimp recorded $343 million, a modest 2% increase, supported by steady demand from Japan and China for large-size and eco-labeled products.
Remarkably, other shrimp categories (including lobster and slipper lobster) skyrocketed by 91% to nearly $870 million, reflecting portfolio diversification and growing demand in China, the Eu and high-income markets.
Market spotlight: China leads the charge
China & Hong Kong remains the standoutdestination, hitting $966 million (+65%) and capturing nearly 30% of Vietnam’s total shrimp exports. The surge is fueled by demand for live shrimp, premium lobster and high-end products. However, rising import inventories in China may signal a market adjustment in Q4.
The United States, the third-largest market, reached $587 million (+4%). Although consumption improved, the industry faces significant pressure from impending anti-dumping duties expected by year-end. As a result, exporters are exercising caution on long-term U.S contracts and shifting volume to the EU and Asia to mitigate risk.
The CPTPP bloc delivered nearly $941 million (+34%), led by Japan ($426 million, 12% share), Australia and Canada. Japan’s consistent demand for convenient, sustainably certified processed products.
In the EU, exports rose 21% to $434 million, with Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands posting 6 - 28% gains. Demand for ASC-certified, organic or low-carbon products continues to strengthen Vietnamese shrimp’s presence in premium retail chains.
South Korea and Taiwan achieved double-digit growth (13% and 36%, respectively), while Russia and Canada showed signs of leveling off.
In major shrimp farming hubs, raw shrimp prices remain stable due to strong year-end domestic and export demand, while supply is limited during the off-season.
Shrimp exports in Q4/2025 are expected to moderate, primarily due to U.S. market challenges. However, Indonesia’s tightened U.S. access opens a short-term window for Vietnam. Additionally, Ecuador’s heavy focus on the China eases supply pressure in Japan, the EU and South Korea - allowing Vietnamese shrimp to command premium pricing through Q4.
Looking to 2026, competitive pressures are set to intensify as rivals recalibrate. Sustaining momentum will hinge on Vietnam’s ability to accelerate green transformation, digitize supply chains and invest in value-added innovation.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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