Vietnam's shrimp exports in September this year saw positive signals from markets such as the US, Australia, Canada, Belgium, and Taiwan with positive growth rates from 1% -54%. The remaining major markets such as the EU, Japan, and Korea still recorded negative growth from 10% to 26%, but the decrease was lower than in previous months. As for the China and HK markets, after positive growth in the three months of June, July and August, shrimp exports to this market continued their downward trend.
Regarding export products, as of September this year, the export value of whiteleg shrimp (accounting for 74%) reached US$1.9 billion, down 26%, exporting black tiger shrimp reached US$356 million (accounting for 14%), down 23%. The remaining is the export value of other shrimp with US$298 million, down 28%, in which the export of other canned shrimp and other dried shrimp increased positively by 20% and 57% respectively.
In September 2023, Vietnamese shrimp exports to China & Hong Kong decreased by 13% to reach US$61 million. Shrimp exports to this market decreased in September after consecutive positive growth in 3 months of June, July and August. Accumulated in 9 months, shrimp exports to this market reached US$454 million, down 6%.
After the long holiday period including the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day in China, shrimp demand recorded a decrease. Inventory is high because previously, China imported a lot of shrimp from Ecuador. Companies hold inventory and do not want to reduce prices to release goods. The nuclear waste discharge event from Japan is also said to have an impact on the demand for seafood in general, including shrimp, in the Chinese market. It is expected that in the last quarter of the year, China's shrimp consumption demand will not recover.
The US is regarded as a market with a positive trend in shrimp imports from Vietnam as shrimp exports to this market continued to grow positively in September - marking the 3rd consecutive month of positive growth. Shrimp exports to the US in September recorded the highest growth compared to the previous two months with an increase of 23% over the same period last year. In the first 9 months of the year, shrimp exports to the US reached US$520 million, down 23%.
Shrimp imports into the US in August this year continued to increase with a total of 73,429 tons, up from 71,388 tons in August 2022 and from 69,356 tons in July 2023. India, Ecuador and Indonesia continue to be the three largest shrimp suppliers to the US.
Along with the trend of increasing shrimp imports, the US economic growth forecast is also quite positive. According to IMF forecasts, the US economy will grow by 2.1% in 2023 and 1.5% in 2024, up 0.3 and 0.5 percentage points respectively compared to the forecast in July.
The US is a net energy exporter, so it benefits more when energy price increases due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war. In addition, consumer spending in the US is more stable, less affected by interest rate increases due to higher long-term mortgage debt ratios and financial support measures during the Covid-19 period in the US also more "generous".
With more positive signals from markets such as the US, Canada, and Australia, the demand for deeply processed shrimp tends to increase during the year-end holidays, and Vietnam's shrimp exports in the last months of this year continue to narrow their decline and recorded more positive results than the first half of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, tuna exports in the first month of 2026 reached over USD 75 million, up 13% compared to the same period in 2025. Notably, exports increased in most key markets such as Japan, the EU, and Russia, while exports to the United States fell by 6%—a contrasting development amid ongoing adjustments in U.S. import tariff policies and new compliance requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which took effect at the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded strong growth, reaching USD 15 million, up 109% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, in the first three months of 2026, export value reached USD 38 million, an increase of 174% year-on-year. This result highlights the sector’s robust expansion and reflects rapid growth across multiple markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD 182 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, exports in the first three months of 2026 totaled USD 514 million, an increase of 17% year-on-year, indicating that the growth momentum is being maintained despite signs of slowdown in some markets during March.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(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.
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