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
(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
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