In the first quarter of 2020, China was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the second quarter of 2020, the epidemic has been better controlled. Supply chain disruptions have been overcome, the demand for seafood including shrimp was also better.
China was the largest black tiger shrimp importer of Vietnam. In the first 6 months of 2020, in the structure of shrimp products exported to China, black tiger shrimp accounted for 32.7%, whiteleg shrimp accounted for 39.1%, and the rest was marine shrimp. Export of whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp to China in the first half of 2020 slumped, only export of marine shrimp soared by 137%, especially dried marine shrimp surged by 1,812%.
According to data from China Customs, in the first 6 months of 2020, China imported 339,000 MT of frozen warm-water shrimp, worth $ 1.98 billion. China's imports of frozen warm water shrimp in June 2020 jumped by 36% compared to May 2020 to 75,000 MT, the highest level since December 2019. The import value of frozen warm-water shrimp reached US$420 million, up 34% compared to May.
Ecuador, the largest supplier of shrimp to China (accounting for 2/3 of China's shrimp imports in June), exports to China 50,000 MT of shrimp, an increase of 72% compared to May. India, the second-largest supplier of China, supplying 14,500 MT of shrimp to China in June, equivalent to the export volume in May. Thailand, Vietnam, and Argentina were the next major shrimp suppliers to China, each country supplying about 2,400 - 2,500 MT.
At the beginning of July 2020, Ecuador had many difficulties in shrimp exports to China as 3 major shrimp companies of this country were banned from exporting to China due to the detection of coronavirus on product packaging. Also in early July, some batches of shrimp exported from India to China were delayed customs clearance, plus tensions at the borderline between India and China. It is expected that shrimp exports from China's two largest shrimp suppliers, Ecuador and India, will decrease in the third quarter of 2020. It is forecast that Vietnam's shrimp exports to China will continue to increase in the third quarter of 2020, to offset the supply reduction from Ecuador and India.
China's domestic shrimp production this year is expected to decline due to disease on shrimp, China's cold-water shrimp imports also tend to decrease, China's economic growth in the second quarter of this year has been better and is forecasted not to decrease in the whole year. Therefore, China's demand for shrimp imports is not expected to decrease. It is expected that Vietnam's shrimp exports to China will increase by about 7% in 2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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