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) Vietnamese tilapia is moving into a higher-value segment as brackish-water farmed fish from the Mekong Delta is now being processed for sashimi and exported regularly to Japan.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
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