In September 2020, except exports to Japan dipped, Vietnam's shrimp exports to other major markets hiked such as the US (+ 39.6%), China (+ 22.9%), EU (+35.4 %), South Korea (+ 3.2%), UK (+ 54.3%), Canada (+ 47%), Australia (+ 50.7%). Notably, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the EU in September 2020 reached the highest growth rate since the beginning of the year thanks in part to the positive impact from the EVFTA Agreement. The main import markets of Vietnamese shrimp increased imports to serve year-end festivals.
In the first 9 months of 2020, whiteleg shrimp accounted for 72% of Vietnam's total shrimp exports, black tiger shrimp made up 16%, and the rest was marine shrimp. The total value of whiteleg shrimp exports lifted by 15% while that of black tiger shrimp fell by 15%. Exports of processed whiteleg shrimp (HS code 16) and live/fresh/ frozen whiteleg shrimp (code HS 03) increased by 24% and 7%, respectively. Export of other processed black tiger shrimp (HS16) surged by 38% while that of live/fresh/frozen black tiger shrimp (HS03) plunged by 20%.
The US: The US is the leading market for Vietnamese shrimp imports, accounting for nearly 24%. Vietnam shrimp exports to the US in September 2020 grew well by 39.6% compared to September 2019. In the first 9 months of this year, shrimp exports to this market reached over US$634.4 million, up 33% over the same period in 2019. Despite being affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US remained positive in all the months of the first 9 months of 2020. The US is considered the market with the most stable demand for Vietnamese shrimp imports in the first 9 months of 2020. US shrimp import demand has been good to serve the retail segment.
According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in the first eight months of this year, the US imported 460,070 MT, worth US$3.9 billion, up 6% in volume and 8% in value over the same period in 2019. In the US market, in the first 8 months of this year, Vietnamese shrimp has a competitive advantage over rival suppliers such as India and Ecuador thanks to faster production stability after COVID-19. Shrimp prices at farms of all sizes in India continued to increase as packers in India faced a serious shortage in the supply of raw shrimp.
In the first 8 months of 2020, imports of shrimp into the US from major sources went up, in which the US sharply increased imports from Ecuador, Indonesia, Argentina, and imports from India rose slightly.
EU: EU is the 4th largest shrimp importer of Vietnam after the US, Japan, and China, accounting for 13.8% of the total value of Vietnam's shrimp exports. After decreasing in the previous months, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the EU started to grow well in the third quarter of this year thanks to the positive impact from the EVFTA Agreement which took effect from the beginning of August 2020. In September 2020, Vietnam shrimp exports to the EU reached US$57.6 million, up 35.4% over the same period in 2019. In the first 9 months of 2020, shrimp exports to this market reached over US$371 million, up 2.3%.
In the EU, restaurants, and food services are gradually reopening. Travel has also resumed. Meanwhile, retail or online sales continue to increase, and demand shrimp for the retail segment will increase in preparation for the year-end holiday season. EU is a market that has a good rate. It will also be the market that many enterprises focus on to boost export in the last month. Vietnam shrimp exports to the EU from now to the end of the year are expected to continue to jump.
With positive signals in Vietnam's shrimp exports in the first 9 months of this year, Vietnam's shrimp exports for the whole year 2020 are expected to reach $ 3.7 billion, up 9.8% compared to 2019.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(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.
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