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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
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