Jamnarnwej explained that Thailand’s exports of fresh, chilled and frozen seafood products stand at around 570,000 metric tons, 50 percent more than a decade ago, but down from a peak of 710,000 metric tons in 2007. Since 2002, the value of the country’s exports fresh, chilled and frozen seafood products has doubled from USD 1.2 billion to USD 2.75 billion.
Exports of shelf-stable seafood products over the past decade have also experienced some significant peaks and troughs, and they now stand at just under 300,000 metric tons. However, the unit price has risen significantly during that period, leading to a total value of USD 2.25 billion in 2011, up from USD 1.2 million in 2002. This means that the value of Thailand’s seafood exports now stand at USD 5 billion.
“The No. 1 export destination for all Thai seafood is the United States, which accounts for 36.4 percent of the value, closely followed by Japan at 28.4 percent,” said Jamnarnwej.
In 2011, Thailand’s exports to the United States were valued at USD 1.8 billion, up 12.61 percent from the previous year, while exports to Japan were valued at USD 1.43 billion, up 22.4 percent from 2010.
Other countries in the top 10, which together make up more than 85 percent of the total value of Thailand’s exports, are Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Germany, South Korea, China and France.
“Shrimp is our most important export product and now accounts for just under half of all exports, whereas six years ago it made up 30 percent,” said Jamnarnwej. “In terms of value, almost half (46.25 percent) went to the U.S. in 2011, with just under a quarter (22.26 percent) going to Japan.”
Thailand is the world’s second largest producer of shrimp, behind China, and produces white shrimp (Penaeous vannamei), black tiger shrimp (P. monodon) and the giant freshwater shrimp (Machrobranchium rosenbergii).
In 2011, Thailand produced 565,000 metric tons of shrimp, not far off from China’s 600,000 metric tons. By comparison, Central and South America produced 452,000 metric tons and Vietnam 240,000 metric tons. Total global production in 2011 amounted to 2,335,000 metric tons, up from 2,200,000 metric tons in 2010.
EU imports of shrimp in 2011, including coldwater, came to 551,643 metric tons. Thai output accounted for just under 10 percent, making it the fifth biggest supplier in terms of volume (although second in value), behind Ecuador, Argentina, Greenland and India. The severe flooding in coastal regions in 2010 resulted in volumes declining from 60,922 metric tons to 54,560 metric tons. However, production is now back on track and plentiful supplies are expected in 2012. It is anticipated that an increase in production, along with greater availability of shrimp from Vietnam and India this year, will lead to a reduction in price.
Jamnarnwej explained that Thailand’s export success was partly due to the considerable efforts made by the Thai government and industry over the past decade to ensure that production and manufacturing standards meet international expectations in terms of food safety, traceability, environmental integrity, social responsibility and labor regulations.
However, a major EU importer said these last two issues had been a concern and that considerable pressure had been put on the Thai government to improve them.
“An ongoing project to address child labor, forced labor and migrant welfare in the shrimp and seafood processing industry has already resulted in the development of a Good Labour Practice program, and we are also improving access to education and social protection services,” said Jamnarnwej.
“There is always room to do better, so we are not complacent but continually work to maintain our reputation as a responsible supplier of high class seafood,” he said.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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