In the first five months of this year, whiteleg shrimp accounted for 69.5% of Vietnam's total shrimp exports, black tiger shrimp represented 19.2%, the rest were marine shrimp. The total value of whiteleg shrimp exports rose by 8% while that of black tiger shrimp fell by 16%. Export of processed whiteleg shrimp (HS code 16) and live/fresh/ frozen whiteleg shrimp (HS code 03) lifted by 13% and 5%, respectively. Other processed tiger shrimp exports (HS16) jumped by 18% while exports of live/fresh/frozen black tiger shrimp (HS03) declined by 19%. Dried marine shrimp exports (HS 03) surged the most by 109%. During the time of the Covid-19 epidemic, whiteleg shrimp exports with reasonable prices increased better than black tiger shrimp, processed shrimp products were consumed more than fresh/live/frozen products.
In May 2020, among the top 6 major shrimp importers of Vietnam, shrimp exports to Japan, EU, and South Korea plunged while exports to the US, China, and the UK went up. Japan was still the largest shrimp importer of Vietnam, accounting for 19.2%. In May 2020, shrimp exports to Japan declined by 19.5%; however, thanks to growth in the previous months, shrimp exports to this market in the first 5 months reached US$ 225.6 million, up 3.2% compared with the same period in 2019. Shrimp exports to the EU in May slumped by 5%, but exports to two single markets in the bloc, the Netherlands and Germany, grew well by 18.5% and 14.5% respectively. In the first five months, export to the EU reached US$162.2 million, down by 7% year on year.
Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US recorded good growth in May 2020 with US$65.8 million, up 29.5% compared to May 2019. In the first 5 months of 2020, shrimp exports to the US reached US$ 224.5 million, up 20.4% over the same period in 2019. Despite the Covid-19 epidemic, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US grew steadily in the first five months of 2020.
In the US market, in the first 5 months of this year, Vietnam shrimp has a competitive advantage over competitors' supply thanks to stable production right after COVID-19 while other suppliers such as India and Ecuador were still suffering badly. Shrimp processors and exporters of India and Ecuador were affected not only by reduced orders but also by domestic production stalled by lockdown measures, lack of workers in factories...
US shrimp imports in the first months of this year remained stable to meet the needs of the retail segment. Shrimp retail sales increased sharply, meeting the demand of American consumers in the epidemic season. In April 2020, the US imported 51,733 MT of shrimp, worth US$ 439.4 million, up 6% in volume and 9% in value over the same period in 2019. The average import price in April 2020 reached US$8.49/kg, an increase of 3% compared to April 2019. In April 2020, shrimp imports into the US from India and Indonesia still went up while imports from Ecuador, Thailand, and China plummeted. Therefore, the demand for US shrimp imports from Vietnam will not decrease to offset the reduced supply from the other suppliers.
After falling in the first 3 months, Vietnamese shrimp exports to China recovered again in April and May. Shrimp exports to China in May 2020 reached US$ 60.3 million, up 3.9% compared to the same period in 2019. In the first five months of 2019, shrimp export to this market reached over 169 million USD, down by 9.5% year on year.
Vietnam's shrimp prices are expected to be good at the beginning of the third quarter of this year because inventories in major markets such as Japan, the US, and the EU are not as high as previous months. The supply of raw materials in China is forecast to decrease due to the influence of the DIV1 virus. In India, the lockdown measures lasted until May, causing farmers to hesitate to stock, disturbing the supply chain. The Covid-19 epidemic also affected the supply of raw shrimp in Ecuador, Indonesia, and Thailand. In Vietnam, shrimp farmers are still actively raising so enterprises can be assured about the raw materials. Vietnam's shrimp exports are expected to increase in the coming months.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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