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 |
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
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