In August 2020, excluding exports to Japan and China fell, Vietnam's shrimp exports to other major markets hiked such as the US (+ 28.6%), EU (+ 15.7%), South Korea (10.2%), UK (+ 16.4%), Canada (+ 17.2%), Australia (+ 20.5%). Notably, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the EU in August 2020 achieved the highest growth rate since the beginning of this year thanks to the positive impact from the EVFTA Agreement.
In the first eight months of 2020, whiteleg shrimp accounted for 71.7% of Vietnam's total shrimp exports, black tiger shrimp accounted for 16.5%, and the rest was marine shrimp. The total value of whiteleg shrimp exports rose by 12.6% while that of black tiger shrimp declined by 15.2%. Export of processed whiteleg shrimp (HS code 16) and live/fresh/frozen whiteleg shrimp (HS code 03) increased by 22.2% and 5.2%, respectively. Export of other processed tiger shrimp (HS16) increased 32.7% while that of live/fresh/frozen tiger shrimp (HS03) shrunk by 19.2%. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the export price of whiteleg shrimp increased better than that of black tiger shrimp, and processed shrimp products were consumed more than fresh/live/frozen products.
The US: The US was the leading market for importing Vietnamese shrimp, accounting for nearly 23.6%. Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US in August 2020 grew well by 28.6% compared to August 2019. Accumulated in the first 8 months of 2020, shrimp exports to this market reached over US$544 million, up 32% over the same period in 2019. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US remained positive in all the months of the first 8 months of 2020. The US is considered the market with the most stable demand for importing Vietnamese shrimp in the first 8 months of 2020.
EU: The EU was Vietnam's fourth-largest shrimp importer after the US, Japan, and China, accounting for 13.6% of Vietnam's total shrimp export value. Vietnam shrimp exports to the EU fell continuously from March to June 2020. After a slight growth in July, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the EU recorded a growth of 15.7%, reaching US$58.8 million in August. In August 2020, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the Netherlands and Belgium went up by 15% and 41%, respectively compared to August 2019. In the first eight months of 2020, shrimp exports to the EU reached $ 313.7 million, down 2% from the same period in 2019. The EVFTA Agreement, which took effect from the beginning of August 2020, has brought a lot of expectations for Vietnam's shrimp exports to the EU market in the last months of the year.
Vietnam shrimp exports to the EU from now to the end of the year are expected to continue to increase although the growth rate is not high due to the impact from the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to the tax advantage of Vietnamese shrimp being better than its competitors, EU importers also look for more sources from Vietnam. Deeply processed, packaged, ready-to-eat items for home consumption are still popular.
With positive signals in Vietnam's shrimp exports in the first 8 months of this year. Vietnam shrimp exports are expected to continue to grow in the coming months. For the whole year 2020, Vietnam's shrimp export is expected to reach US$3.6 billion, up 8% compared to 2019.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(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.
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