Korea was the 5th largest consumer market of Vietnam shrimp behind the US, EU, Japan and China. In 5 years (2010-2014), Vietnam shrimp exports to Korea have been maintaining the positive growth. In 2014, Vietnam overtook China to become the largest supplier of shrimp to the market and maintained the top position up to now.
According to ITC, in 2015, shrimp imports into Korea reached 77.7 thousand MT, valued at US$509.6 million, up 3% in volume but down 27% in value. The downward trend in shrimp import value into the market was owing to Korea’s weak demand for shrimp and the plunge in global shrimp price. In Jan-Feb 2016, shrimp imports into Korea reported the increase of 6.3% in value but down 4.6% in value from the same period of 2015. In the Korean market, Vietnam shrimp must compete in price with other suppliers such as China, Malaysia, India. In 2015, the average import price of shrimp from Vietnam into Korea reached US$8.3/kg while shrimp price from China, Malaysia, India was US$2.9; US$7.9 and US$6.9/kg, respectively.
In the first two months of this year, among top 10 leading shrimp suppliers to Korea, Korea raised importing from Saudi Arabia and Indonesia with respective growth of 32% and 19.6% while imports from other suppliers showed the decline in which India showed the deepest dive of 62%, followed by Philippines, China and Thailand with the drop of 26.9%, 18.8% and 6.5%, respectively.
In 2016, Vietnam shrimp exports to Korea expected to have positive outlook because the FTA between Vietnam and Korea has taken effect. Accordingly, Korea committed to clear tax for 10,000 MT of Vietnam shrimp in the first year and 15,000 MT in the next 5 years. Vietnam now enjoys yearly non-tariff quota of 2,500 MT to Korean market out of total quota of 5,000 MT shared by 10 ASEAN countries. Vietnam shrimp have an advantage over ASEAN countries (namely Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia) which is considered as an impetus for Vietnam shrimp exports to the market in the coming time.
With the gradual recovery in Korea’s economy and stable demand for Vietnam seafood, including shrimp; Vietnam shrimp exporters have opportunities to boost sales to the market.
Korean consumers are favoring processed seafood products from Vietnam, particularly shrimp owing to convenience, suitable taste and presentations. Besides, the geographical advantages, lower transportation costs than other countries in the ASEAN facilitate Korea’s demand for seafood from Vietnam.
Shrimp consumer tastes of Koreans have many similarities with Japan while Vietnam has experiences in processing of products exported to the Japanese market. This is also an advantage for Vietnam shrimp exporters.
|
Top 10 largest shrimp suppliers to Korea |
||||||
|
Origin |
Volume (MT) |
Value (US$thousand) |
||||
|
Jan-Feb 2015 |
Jan-Feb 2016 |
Variations (%) |
Jan-Feb 2015 |
Jan-Feb 2016 |
Variations (%) |
|
|
The world |
9.840 |
10.460 |
6,3 |
80.302 |
76.631 |
-4,6 |
|
Vietnam |
3.595 |
4.586 |
27,6 |
34.042 |
37.174 |
9,2 |
|
Ecuador |
1.006 |
1.158 |
15,1 |
9.362 |
9.317 |
-0,5 |
|
Thailand |
940 |
911 |
-3,1 |
9.832 |
9.189 |
-6,5 |
|
China |
2.415 |
2.106 |
-12,8 |
11.577 |
9.405 |
-18,8 |
|
Malaysia |
461 |
485 |
5,3 |
3.972 |
3.353 |
-15,6 |
|
Argentina |
318 |
290 |
-8,7 |
2.738 |
2.331 |
-14,9 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
116 |
195 |
67,2 |
921 |
1.216 |
32,0 |
|
India |
534 |
329 |
-38,3 |
4.045 |
1.533 |
-62,1 |
|
Philippines |
50 |
42 |
-15,2 |
613 |
448 |
-26,9 |
|
Indonesia |
68 |
94 |
37,4 |
586 |
701 |
19,6 |
By Kim Thu
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(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.
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
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Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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