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) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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