In the past 10 years (2007-2016), the import volume of shrimp into the country ranged from 76.7 thousand MT in 2007 to 83 thousand MT in 2016, up 8%. In the last 4 years (2013-2016), the demand for shrimp in South Korean was stable due to the decrease in domestic fish production and a tendency towards a healthy diet.
According to the World Trade Center (ITC), in the first 7 months of 2017, shrimp imports into the country reached US$307.3; up 13% year on year. Among the largest shrimp suppliers to South Korea, imports from Vietnam, Thailand and Ecuador increased by 15.8%; 26.8%; 33.9% respectively, while imports from China decreased 37.4% over the same period in 2016.
South Korea stayed as the fifth largest importer of Vietnam shrimp behind the EU, Japan, China and the U.S; accounting for 9.7% of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to markets. It was also the third largest buyer of Vietnam whiteleg shrimp in 2016.
In the past 10 years (2007-2016), Vietnam’s shrimp exports to South Korea showed the continuous positive growth. In 2015, exports to the market decreased due to a sharp increase in 2014 with an increase in the global shrimp prices and the dollar. In the first 9 months of 2017, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market kept a good growth rate. As of 15th Sep 2017, Vietnam’s shrimp export to South Korea hit US$243.2 million; up 29.8% over the same period in 2016.
With the stable demand and high export prices and tax incentives under The Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and Korea (VKFTA); Korea expected to be a potential importing market of Vietnam in the coming time while exports to the main traditional markets face difficulties.
From 2007 to 2016, exports of whiteleg shrimp to South Korea remained to take the largest share in Vietnam’s shrimp sales to the market, from 42% in 2009 to over 80% in 2016. With the strong demand over the years, in 2016, South Korea held as Vietnam's third largest whiteleg shrimp importer. Of that, the country prefers fresh/live/frozen whiteleg shrimp (HS code 03). From 2009 to 2016, shipments of live/fresh/frozen whiteleg shrimp (HS code 03) to Korea were 1.4 - 2.2 times higher than those of processed items (HS code 16). In the coming time, the import demand for whiteleg shrimp in South Korea expected to continue the rise.
Sales of black tiger shrimp took the second proportion in total shipments to the market, but decreased from 23.5% in 2009 to 10.5% in 2016. In the period of 2010-2012, the proportion of black tiger shrimp accounted for 50-60% in total shrimp exports. However, in the period of 2013-2016, it decreased to 29-30% due to a drop in Vietnam’s export volume of this item.
Although Vietnam’s exports of black tiger shrimp to South Korea were low, the export turnover to the market in the last two years (2015-2016) tended to increase.
In South Korea, Vietnam shrimp has to compete with the same item from China and India. However, Vietnam enjoyed the lowest import duty (10%) compared to other competitors such as China (20%), India (12.5%), Ecuador (20%) and Thailand (10%).
After a year implementing the VKFTA, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the market recorded many positive changes.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
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