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) According to Vietnam Customs data, tuna exports in the first month of 2026 reached over USD 75 million, up 13% compared to the same period in 2025. Notably, exports increased in most key markets such as Japan, the EU, and Russia, while exports to the United States fell by 6%—a contrasting development amid ongoing adjustments in U.S. import tariff policies and new compliance requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which took effect at the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded strong growth, reaching USD 15 million, up 109% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, in the first three months of 2026, export value reached USD 38 million, an increase of 174% year-on-year. This result highlights the sector’s robust expansion and reflects rapid growth across multiple markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD 182 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, exports in the first three months of 2026 totaled USD 514 million, an increase of 17% year-on-year, indicating that the growth momentum is being maintained despite signs of slowdown in some markets during March.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
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