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 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.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
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