According to the statistics of Vietnam Customs, total fish imports into Vietnam in 2015 reached over US$1 billion, representing an increase of 0.5% compared to 2014. In which shrimp imports reported the highest proportion of 40% with over US$426 million, down 11%; tuna imports hit US$215 million, up 15% and making up 20%, other marine finfish imports reached US$351 million, up 11% and occupying 33% year on year.
Vietnam mainly imported fresh/frozen/live fish serving for processing and exporting. In which fresh/frozen/live marine finfish (HS code 0302 and 0303) hit US$283 million, up 12%; imports of fresh/frozen tuna (HS code 03, except for HS code 0304: tuna fillet) touched US$184 million, posting an increase of 10%.
In 2015, Vietnam imported shrimp from 37 origins with the value of US$426 million, down 10.7% year on year. Whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp under the presentation of live/fresh/frozen (HS code 03) imported into Vietnam made up 65.9% and 20.3%, repectively out of Vietnam's total shrimp imports. Whiteleg shrimp products imported into Vietnam accounted for 68% while black tiger shrimp accounted for 21%. Imports of live/fresh/frozen whiteleg shrimp (HS code 03) reached US$281 million, up 8% while live/fresh/frozen black (HS code 03) gained over US$86 million, down nearly 41%.
India is the largest shrimp supplier to Vietnam with the estimated value of US$318 million; down 7.8% year on year and occupied 74.7% of total shrimp imports by Vietnam.
|
Shrimp products imported into Vietnam in 2015 |
|||
|
Products |
Value (US$) |
The proportion |
Variations (%) |
|
Shrimp (HS 03 & 16) |
425,931,443 |
100.0 |
-10.7 |
|
Processed whiteleg shrimp (HS 16) |
8,244,873 |
1.9 |
+ 5.3 |
|
Live/fresh/frozen whiteleg shrimp (HS03) |
280,696,518 |
65.9 |
+ 8.0 |
|
Shrimp seed |
15,563,460 |
3.7 |
-22.2 |
|
Other processed shrimp (HS 16) |
1,000,512 |
0.2 |
-3.1 |
|
Dried other shrimp (HS 03) |
344,208 |
0.1 |
+ 3,725.2 |
|
Fresh/live/frozen other shrimp (HS 03) |
31,705,478 |
7.4 |
-23.3 |
|
Other processed black tiger shrimp (HS 16) |
1,949,715 |
0.5 |
+ 205.9 |
|
Live/fresh/frozen black tiger shrimp (HS 03) |
86,426,679 |
20.3 |
-40.8 |
According to statistics of the International Trade Centre (ITC), Vietnam became the second largest importer of Indian shrimp, only after the U.S. with the volume of 50 thousand MT in the first 3 quarters of 2015. The peak months were July and August 2015 when Vietnam imported 8.0-8.6 thousand MT of shrimp from India with the average price of US$7.0 – 7.6/kg. In the remaining months of 2015, Vietnam imported about 4.4 – 5.7 thousand MT/month. The average price fell from US$8.3-8.7 USD/kg in the early months of 2015 to US$6.7/kg in the mid year and recovered to US$7.4-7.5/kg in the third quarter of the year.
In 2016, it is forecast that Vietnam will have the opportunity in increasing its shrimp exports to a number of key markets thanks to the FTAs the TPP. Therefore, Vietnam is expected to raise importing shrimp for processing and exporting with the expected value of US$470 million, up 10% from 2015.
|
Top 10 shrimp suppliers to Vietnam in 2015 Source: VASEP (based on statistics of Vietnam Customs) |
||||
|
No. |
Suppliers |
Value (US$) |
The proportion (%) |
Compared to 2014 (%) |
|
1 |
India |
318,011,123 |
74.7 |
-7.8 |
|
2 |
Ecuador |
13,506,458 |
3.2 |
-40.2 |
|
3 |
Thailand |
10,399,159 |
2.4 |
+ 14.3 |
|
4 |
Argentina |
8,835,505 |
2.1 |
-12.1 |
|
5 |
The U.K |
7,263,051 |
1.7 |
+ 7.2 |
|
6 |
Indonesia |
6,327,376 |
1.5 |
-68.9 |
|
7 |
The U.S. |
5,891,269 |
1.4 |
+ 20.3 |
|
8 |
Canada |
4,406,237 |
1.0 |
+ 4.1 |
|
9 |
Australia |
3,829,298 |
0.9 |
+ 114.8 |
|
10 |
Singapore |
3,631,067 |
0.9 |
-7.3 |
|
|
Total |
425,931,443 |
100.0 |
-10.7 |
Written by Le Hang
Compiled by Kim Thu
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn