Vietnam shrimp exports to China fell incredibly in 2018 and in the first months of 2019 due to a sharp increase in Chinese shrimp imports from India, Ecuador (those countries had lower price than Vietnam shrimp). In the first quarter of 2019, Chinese shrimp imports from India went up by 624% in volume and 573% in value over the same period in 2018. In the first half of 2019, Ecuadorian shrimp exports to China increased by 224% in volume and 185% in value compared to the same period in 2018.
There were some of causes that made the decline in shrimp exports to China in recent time. Chinese Customs has been tightening trade in agricultural and aquatic products through border trade. Besides, Vietnamese shrimp had to compete firecely with Indian and Ecuadorian shrimp.
China was the 4th largest shrimp importer in the world, accounting for 6.9% of the total shrimp imports all over the world in 2018. Demand of shrimp imports for domestic consumption and re-export of China was still stable. Shrimp is always the most concerned product in seafood expo in China.
Vietnam ranked 6th among the main shrimp suppliers to China, accounting for 5.7%. In terms of import prices, on the Chinese market, shrimp import prices from Ecuador, India and Indonesia were always the most competitive. The average import prices from Thailand were the highest, while the price of Vietnamese shrimp ranked second in the Chinese market. Vietnamese shrimp must compete in prices with Asian suppliers in this market.
According to the International Trade Center (ITC), China's shrimp imports in the first 5 months of this year reached US$1.4 billion, up by 196% year on year. Ecuador was the largest shrimp supplier to China; India and Thailand ranked second and third respectively. Shrimp imports into China from the top 5 suppliers all grew well compared to the same period in 2018.
Vietnamese shrimp exports to China has shown signs of increasing in May and June. The export value of the whole year to this market is likely equivalent to 2018.
businesses need to pay attention to new requirements on quality, traceability as well as regulations, standards on packaging, goods labeling and regional bar codes for sustainable exports as well as enhance value added.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
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