After reaching high export results in December, Ecuador's total shrimp export volume in 2022 reached 1,061 million tons. Total export value also reached a record of 6.7 billion USD.
The main factors behind Ecuador's success are attributed to the production slowdown in several Asian countries, modernization of the shrimp farming program in the last few years which has improved the competitiveness of Ecuadorian shrimp. Besides, the strong demand from China also plays an important role in boosting Ecuadorian shrimp exports.
Ecuador's shrimp exports in 2022 increased 26% in volume and 31% in value compared to 2021, mainly thanks to the recovery of exports to China. China is increasingly importing Ecuadorian shrimp. In 2013, Ecuadorian shrimp exports to China reached 37,000 tons, this number increases to 590,000 tons in 2022, equivalent to a growth of 1,500% in 10 years and 32% of compound annual growth rate.
China plays a significant contribution in the Ecuadorian1 billion tons of shrimp exports milestone
In 2022, due to difficulties in domestic shrimp production, China quickly became the main market for Ecuadorian shrimp, accounting for 56% of Ecuador's export turnover in 2022. However, it is also due to the strong increase in exports to China, so Chinese consumers Quoc is concerned about shrimp shipments that may be contaminated with corona virus from Ecuador.
The increasing competitiveness of Ecuadorian shrimp producers has also helped the country increasingly dominate markets in North America and Europe. After being suspended by China in 2020, Ecuador quickly turned to basic processing, competing directly with shrimp suppliers in Asia.
In the two years 2019-2021, Ecuador's shrimp exports to North America and Europe doubled, reaching 462,000 tons in 2022. Ecuador's shrimp export outlook is forecast to remain positive in 2023 with an increase of about 10% as exporters expect China to open up after Covid.
A shrimp farm in Ecuador
The successful story of Ecuador is an experience for shrimp exporting countries, including Vietnam. 5 years ago, Ecuador ranked 5th in shrimp exports in the world, after Vietnam, Indonesia, India and Thailand. However, from 2021, the ranking has changed, Ecuador has “turned the table” and risen to the top of the world shrimp supplier. This is because Ecuador actively domesticates to keep seed costs low and uses disease-resistant broodstock and stocking densities.
Regarding the farming investment planning, Ecuador raises based on the farm size (to be licensed, a farm must have a scale of 50ha or more). Therefore, it will have conditions for scientific and technical investment, synchronous mechanization. The country has 220,000 hectares of shrimp farming, but up to 40,000 hectares are ASC certified, equivalent to about 20% of the area, which helps Ecuadorian shrimp have an advantage in the international markets.
The cost of shrimp farming in Vietnam is higher than that of Ecuador while the success rate is lower
The cost of shrimp farming in Vietnam is higher than that of Ecuador while the success rate is lower. The shrimp industry in Vietnam needs to solve two big problems: the quality of the seed and the farming environment. It is necessary to pay attention to planning and periodically review infrastructure investment, especially in irrigation for shrimp. Having a synchronous solution on seed raising and irrigation will help the success rate to be higher, and reduce the cost of shrimp farming.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho City statistics indicate that in 2025, following the merger of three former administrative entities - Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang - fisheries output in 2025 increased by 6.23% compared with 2024 with aquaculture production nearly 9.1 times higher than capture fisheries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ca Mau province has achieved significant, comprehensive and substantive progress in combating IUU fishing in 2025, successfully fulfilling all tasks directed by the central government and strengthening fisheries governance. These efforts have established a solid foundation for the nationwide effort to lift the EC’s "yellow card" warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau has exceeded its 2025 production targets, reaching nearly 595,000 tons of shrimp. This milestone reinforces the province’s position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp producer and a bright spot in the country’s seafood sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, cumulative shrimp exports from the beginning of the year through November reached $4.3 billion, up 21% year-on-year, continuing to serve as the primary growth driver of the entire seafood sector. In November alone, export turnover amounted to $393 million, up 14%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, the fisheries sector continued to stand out as a bright spot in Ca Mau’s economic landscape, maintaining positive growth in both output and value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of November 2025, Vietnam’s total pangasius export turnover had exceeded the $2 billion threshold, registering a 9% compared with the same period in 2024. In November alone, pangasius exports reached $195 million, also posting a 9% increase year-on-year, underscoring a stable recovery trajectory for the sector in the final months of the year.
Building on over three decades of trusted leadership, VASEP is proactively shaping a Dynamic Knowledge Ecosystem where data is transformed into actionable value and forward-looking insights for the business community
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
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
