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) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets showed varying trends across regions and countries. The Middle East recorded strong growth, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the largest Asian market for Vietnamese tilapia. ASEAN markets also expanded significantly, driven primarily by Malaysia. Meanwhile, Japan maintained solid growth, while exports to South Korea declined compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp and pangasius continued to lead growth, helping seafood exports reach $4.67 billion in the first five months of the year; however, differentiation among product groups and increasingly stringent requirements from importing markets are posing many challenges for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive momentum in the tilapia sector, with Brazil emerging as a key driver of growth, while frozen tilapia fillets continued to be the industry's leading export product.
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