The US is still Vietnam's second largest shrimp importer after the EU, accounting for 19.6% of Vietnam’s total shrimp export value.
Demand for US shrimp imports from Vietnam was more positive from May to August due to reduced inventories while the US was also reducing imports from India, Thailand and sharply reducing imports from China.
The US was the largest importer for Vietnamese whiteleg shrimp. Regarding the structure of Vietnamese shrimp exports to the US, whiteleg shrimp accounted for the largest proportion at 83.3%, tiger shrimp made up for only 12.6%. In the first 9 months of 2019, exports of live/fresh/frozen whiteleg shrimp to the US increased by 42% over the same period in 2018.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, Vietnamese breaded shrimp exported to the US in the first 8 months of 2019 reached 7,098 MT, worth US $ 50.8 million, up 57% in volume and 52% in value over the same period in 2018.
China, Thailand and Vietnam were the three main suppliers of breaded shrimp to the US, accounting for 31%, 26%, and 25% of the total shrimp import value of the US, respectively. Among three main suppliers, China was subject to a 25% tax, leading to a sharp reduction of 33% in value and 27% in volume compared to the same period in 2018. Breaded shrimp is a product with a high profit rate, so Vietnamese enterprises should continue to promote exports this product to the US.
Shrimp exports to the US expected to increase by about 5% in the last quarter of 2019.
In September 2019, the US imported 63,767 MT of shrimp, worth US$554.9 million, down 1.1% in volume and up 1.6% in value year on year.
In the first 9 months of 2019, shrimp imports into the US reached 494,964 MT, worth US$4.2 billion, compared to 489,639 MT and US$4.4 billion in the same period in 2018.
As of September 2019, the US imported 15,795 MT of shrimp, worth US$ 85.2 million from China, down 56% in volume and 66% in value over the same period in 2018.
Chinese shrimp exports to the US have fell due to the impact of the US-China trade war that made Chinese exporters have been subject to a 25% tax rate since May 2019.
In September 2019, shrimp imports into the US from Ecuador, Thailand, Argentina, Honduras and Panama all declined. Ecuador exported 6,801 MT of shrimp to the US, down 2% year on year. Thailand exported 3,691 MT of shrimp to the US, down 11%.
India was still the largest shrimp supplier to the US. This country exported to the US 198,350 MT of shrimp, valued at US$ 1.6 billion in the first 9 months of 2019, up 13% in volume and 4.5% in value over the same period in 2018.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, the global food market is facing increasing volatility in logistics costs, energy prices, and supply chains. In the seafood sector, alongside ocean-caught products such as tuna, the surimi-based product group—including fish cakes, crab sticks, fish balls, and other imitation seafood products—has also been affected to some extent by these developments.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the 2026 brackish-water shrimp farming calendar issued by the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Environment, the 2026 crop started in early January and is expected to harvest in late June. However, stocking progress has been slower than planned as farmers remain cautious, focusing on pond renovation and production preparations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo 2026, commercial clam prices in Ha Tinh province surged sharply, nearly doubling compared to normal levels and standing about 20–30% higher than the same period last year. The spike has encouraged many aquaculture households to accelerate harvesting and sell large volumes to the market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In January 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 379.6 million, up 22% compared to the same period in 2025. The double-digit growth in the very first month of the year signals a relatively positive recovery in orders, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) From the very beginning of 2026, India’s shrimp industry has received a series of favorable trade signals: U.S. reciprocal tariffs have been reduced, while the successful conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU has opened prospects for eliminating nearly all seafood tariffs in the coming years. This shift not only enables Indian shrimp to quickly offset declines in the U.S. market, but also reshapes the global competitive landscape, placing greater pressure on Vietnamese shrimp exporters in terms of price, market share, and strategic positioning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is recording many positive signals, both in terms of raw fish prices and export prospects. Export turnover this year is projected to reach approximately USD 2.3 billion. Amid ongoing volatility in the global market, diversifying export destinations, reducing dependence on major markets, and effectively leveraging free trade agreements (FTAs) are considered key to maintaining sustainable growth and creating new momentum for the pangasius sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With forecasts indicating that weather conditions in 2026 may become more complex—featuring prolonged heatwaves, unseasonal rains, and increased salinity intrusion—the agricultural sector of Can Tho City advises brackish water shrimp farmers to strictly follow the seasonal farming calendar and strengthen pond environmental management to minimize risks and improve production efficiency.
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