According to Vietnam Customs, in July 2012, shrimp exports continued to fall 6.8 percent after sliding 4 percent in June over the same period of last year. However, in the months ahead, the decrease in shrimp exports is expected to slow down, shrimp exports may rebound thanks to more stable supply of raw material and higher demand from importing markets.
In the third quarter of 2012, export value of shrimp products is predicted to touch US$690 million, down 4 percent over that of the same period of 2011 but up 19 percent against the second quarter of 2012 (US$579.2 million) and accounted for 36.9 percent of total seafood export value in the quarter (US$1.84 billion), bringing total shrimp exports in the first 9 months of 2012 to US$1.7 billion.
In the third quarter 2012, exports of black tiger shrimp and whiteleg shrimp will raise against the second quarter thanks to high demand in international markets for year-end consumption. Export value of whiteleg shrimp are forecasted to remain the growth of 30 percent in the third quarter over 2011 and make up 35 – 37 percent of Vietnam’s total shrimp export value.
State policies of slashing interest rate of bank loans and increasing line of credit for purchasing raw shrimp used for processing will contribute to boosting raw shrimp producing for processing and exporting. As estimated, about 35 percent of shrimp processors can afford to remain their operation, the others are lacking of capital, if they are not supported timely, it is hard for shrimp exports to soar in the third and fourth quarter of 2012.
The supply of raw material: In the third quarter of this year, concerns of shortage of raw shrimp for processing will be eased because it is on harvesting season in the country.
Besides, shrimp inventory in stores of many processors is still high. Raw shrimp imports into Vietnam for processing and reexporting may hold back from the second quarter because the domestic price of raw shrimp fell to the level that is equal to the price of imported raw shrimp. In July 2012, black tiger shrimp count 40 pieces per kilogram in Ca Mau province was quoted at VND115,000 per kilogram. The price of whiteleg shrimp count 100 pieces per kilogram fell to VND71,000 per kilogram.
Increasing competitiveness: Vietnam shrimp export has continued to compete with shrimp from Thailand, India, Indonesia and Ecuador. India has recently loosened its quarantine regulations on whiteleg shrimp broodstock import.
Accordingly, whiteleg shrimp broodstock will not experience quarantine for Baculovirus penaei virus. Regulation on whiteleg shrimp broodstock quarantine was issued in October 15th 2008. With the adjustment, whiteleg shrimp producing will be more favorable and its production will be boosted.
According to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), in 2012, India’s whiteleg shrimp output will surge 30 percent to reach 100,000 MT over 2011. Indonesia’s whiteleg shrimp output is also expected to soar despite rainy season in some shrimp farming areas of the country.
At the Central America, in spite of early rains, shrimp farming situation is good. Shrimp output in South American countries is not high but there are a lot of inventories due to Europe’s low demand.
The global shrimp price is on a downtrend: In the third quarter of this year, Europe’s demand for shrimp imports is still gloomy due to regional economic downturn. Shrimp supply for the U.S. and Japan markets will rise which can put high pressure on shrimp price in these two markets.
(According to Report on Vietnam Seafood Export in Q.II/2012 - VASEP)
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
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