The supply recovered slowly due to the effects of EMS (early mortality syndrome). Coupled with higher shrimp prices, these are supporting Vietnam exports. Thailand, one of the biggest shrimp suppliers, reduced its production sharply due to EMS. Farmers had to comply with procedures to minimize the mortality rate of shrimp and harvested early. Because of this, in 2014 shrimp production of Thailand can hardly reach 200,000 MT, which was one-third of the average amount in previous years. China was one of the countries that were strongly impacted by EMS while domestic demand increased, making Chinese shrimp lose its shares in many international markets.
Along with Ecuador, Indonesia and India, Vietnam became important shrimp suppliers. Shrimp production in Vietnam was in favorable condition as farming area for white shrimp expanded rapidly. Reports from the provinces revealed that in the first 7 months of 2014, area for shrimp farming reached an area of 644,193 ha (up 10.3% year on year), in which black tiger shrimp was grown in the area of 562,492 hectare (staying the same as 2013), and white leg shrimp was grown in the area of 81,701 hectares (rising 245.3% year on year). Total yield reached 317,305 MT, increasing 189.3% year on year, in which black tiger shrimp production was 152,035 MT (up 91% year on year) and that of whiteleg shrimp was 165 269 tons (up 449.4%).
Shrimp prices rose in 2014 as a result of weakening supply.
Statistics from the USDA on shrimp imports showed that the first 7 months of 2014, the shrimp average import price to the United States increased from US$ 9.1/kg to US$ 11.99/kg. Meanwhile, statistics from Vietnam General Customs indicated that shrimp export to the United States reached US$ 694.5 million, up 80.3% year on year.
Exports to EU reached US$ 387.7 million, up 98.8% year on year whilst shrimp exports to Japan recovered after months hampered by antibiotics barriers.
South Korea, the 5th largest market shrimp import market from Vietnam after the USA, Japan, the EU and China, accounted for 7.9% of the total shrimp exports. Among the top 10 of growing markets for Vietnam shrimp exports, this year, South Korea grew the fastest with the value of US$ 185.2 million, up 114.5% year on year.
Chinese shrimp exported to South Korea plummeted, which made Vietnam become the largest shrimp supplier to South Korea. Statistics from World Trade Center (ITC), in the first 7 months of 2014, Vietnam shrimp imports to South Korea rose by 55.1% in volume and 100% in value compared to that of 2013, while that Chinese shrimp imported into this market fell by 38.9% in volume and 22.2% in value.
|
Top 10 shrimp suppliers to South Korea in Jan-Jul/2013-2014 by value (Unit: US$ thousands) Source: ITC |
||||
|
No |
Supplier |
Jan-Jul/2013 |
Jan-Jul/2014 |
2014/2013 (%) |
|
|
World |
204,163 |
305,795 |
49.8 |
|
1 |
Vietnam |
76,203 |
152,390 |
100.0 |
|
2 |
China |
50,884 |
39,592 |
-22.2 |
|
3 |
Thailand |
32,184 |
27,686 |
-14.0 |
|
4 |
Malaysia |
12,994 |
22,239 |
71.1 |
|
5 |
Ecuador |
17,649 |
20,531 |
16.3 |
|
6 |
India |
4,377 |
13,689 |
212.7 |
|
7 |
Philippines |
1,574 |
6,807 |
332.5 |
|
8 |
Indonesia |
1,306 |
5,012 |
283.8 |
|
9 |
Argentina |
736 |
4,618 |
527.4 |
|
10 |
Iran |
122 |
2,731 |
2,138.5 |
|
Top 10 shrimp supplies to South Korea, Jan-Jul/ 2013-2014 by volume (Unit: MT) Source: ITC |
||||
|
No |
Supplier |
Jan-Jul/2013 |
Jan-Jul/2014 |
2014/2013 (%) |
|
|
World |
31,746 |
33,114 |
4.3 |
|
1 |
Vietnam |
9,142 |
14,184 |
55.1 |
|
2 |
China |
12,275 |
7,496 |
-38.9 |
|
3 |
Malaysia |
2,126 |
2,339 |
10.0 |
|
4 |
Ecuador |
2,238 |
2,072 |
-7.4 |
|
5 |
Thailand |
3,844 |
2,052 |
-46.6 |
|
6 |
India |
664 |
1,791 |
169.7 |
|
7 |
Argentina |
113 |
513 |
355.0 |
|
8 |
Indonesia |
196 |
480 |
144.8 |
|
9 |
Philippines |
96 |
461 |
378.8 |
|
10 |
Iran |
22 |
408 |
1,792.9 |
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Aquaculture, capture fisheries, and seed production activities in Lam Dong in the early months of 2026 continued to show positive signs, with both output and farming area slightly increasing compared to the same period, contributing to maintaining overall industry stability.
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