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) 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.
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