In the three months of June - August, shrimp exports to China & HK had a positive growth. After QII, demand for shrimp imports from the Chinese market increased because the market stabilized after Covid-19 prevention restrictions. In QI/2023, Ecuador’s exports to China increased sharply, therefore, supply from Ecuador to China decreased in the period after QII. As a result, China increased imports from Vietnam.
In September 2023, Vietnam's shrimp exports to China reversed and decreased by 13%. After the long holiday period including the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day in China, shrimp demand declined sharply. China had a high inventory due to importing a lot of shrimp from Ecuador previously. Companies hold inventory and do not want to reduce prices to release stock. The nuclear wastewater discharge event from Japan is also said to have an impact on seafood consumption demand in general, including shrimp in the Chinese market.
Regarding the structure of export products, whiteleg shrimp accounted for 53.2%, black tiger shrimp accounted for 22.7%, and the rest were other shrimp. In QIII/2023, exports of whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp to China & HK increased by 14% and 22% respectively compared to the same period in 2022. Exports of live/fresh/frozen black tiger shrimp had the strongest increase of 22%, exports of frozen raw whiteleg shrimp and processed whiteleg shrimp increased by 14% and 16%, respectively. For other shrimp, exports of other dried shrimp increased sharply by 3 digits, at 661%.
In QIII/2023, the average price of frozen whiteleg shrimp exported to China ranged from 4,9 - 7,9 USD/kg. While the average price of frozen black tiger shrimp ranged from 8,2-13,8 USD/kg.
The purchasing price of Chinese importers is low because many suppliers are targeting this market. However, China is still an important market for Vietnamese shrimp, especially in the context of China’s ban on seafood imports from Japan. According to China Customs, accumulated in the first 8 months of the year, China's shrimp imports reached 675.556 tons, worth 3,74 billion USD, up 29% in volume and 10% in value compared to the same period last year.
Regarding volume, Ecuador continued to be the top supplier to China, accounting for 72% of China's total imports, followed by India with 13% and Argentina with 3%. The remaining 12% come from countries such as Thailand and Saudi Arabia. Experts predicted that China's shrimp imports this year could reach approximately 1 million tons.
After the ban on seafood imports from Japan, many foreign suppliers expected new opportunities in China. However, Chinese businesses are also looking for alternative products from domestic supply.
China's shrimp market consists of two separate segments. One is for live shrimp, mainly consumed at public markets in China. The other is frozen HOSO and value-added shrimp, consumed through distributors, food services, retail supermarkets and e-commerce channels.
According to experts, both imported shrimp and domestic shrimp have the opportunity in both market segments as long as the Chinese economy recovers stably, and consumers have the financial capacity.
The Chinese government is stimulating shrimp consumption in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, creating opportunities for domestic fresh RAS shrimp to attract more customers. Chinese consumers love fresh shrimp, and they are willing to pay higher prices for this product. Experts advise foreign suppliers to develop the frozen HOSO and value-added shrimp markets instead of competing with Chinese domestic shrimp in the fresh product segment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2026 marks a period of strong growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, but it is also a time when international export competition is becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 99 million in 2025, up 140% compared to the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, export value reached USD 49 million, a 151% increase year-on-year. As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to rise, Vietnam is emerging as a noteworthy competitor to traditional tilapia powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Egypt.
(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.
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