The US is the second largest shrimp import market of Vietnam after the EU, accounting for 18.2% of Vietnam's total shrimp exports to markets. Shrimp export average turnover to the US reached about 700 million US$ per year, in 2014, shrimp export to the US increased dramatically to over 1 billion US$.
In 2017, Vietnam whiteleg shrimp export to the US reached 536.3 million US$, accounting for over 81% of total shrimp export products to the US. In the first ten months of this year, Vietnam whiteleg shrimp exports to this market still maintained the proportion of 81% of the total shrimp product structure to the US, with 540.4 million US$.
From 2012 onwards, tiger shrimp dominated the structure of exported shrimp products to the US. The proportion of export value was continuously 1.3 to 1.6 higher than that of whiteleg shrimp.
In 2013, whiteleg shrimp for the first time surpassed tiger shrimp in export value to the US thanks to the increase in domestic whiteleg shrimp production.
Economic recession at this time had changed the trend and consumer habits of the American people. In 2013, shrimp market report showed that consumers in this country had switched to using whiteleg shrimp instead of black tiger shrimp, and this trend continued to maintain in 2013.
In 2013, the US became the number one consumer market for Vietnam whiteleg shrimp exports. The supply of whiteleg shrimp from Thailand fell sharply due to the influence of EMS, Vietnam and India have become an alternative supply thanks to the strong increase in the production of whiteleg shrimp of both countries.
From 2013 to 2017, the proportion of white leg shrimp exported to the US was always higher than that of tiger shrimp. During this period, the export value of whiteleg shrimp is nearly 3 times higher than that of tiger shrimp. In 10 years (2008-2017), whiteleg shrimp exports reached a record high in 2014 with 775.7 million USD; accounting for nearly 73% of total shrimp export value of Vietnam to the US.
While whiteleg shrimp exports had fallen in 2017, this year August, September and October had witnessed positive recovery. In the context of a positive anti-dumping tax POR 12 that made competitors such as Thailand reduce exports to the US, along with the US-China trade war, Vietnam whiteleg shrimp exports remained having many opportunities in the US market.
According to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the first 9 months of 2018, the total imports of shrimp to the US reached nearly 492000 MT, worth 4.4 billion USD, up by 4% in volume but down by 4% in value compared to the same period last year. Starting from August this year, importing shrimp into the US has shown signs of recovery after the continuous fall in the 4 consecutive previous months.
The US has an increasing trend of importing warm water shrimp including whiteleg shrimp from Asian countries, reducing cold water shrimp imports from Mexico and Canada. For frozen whiteleg shrimp products, the US mainly imports from India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Ecuador. For processed whiteleg shrimp products, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Indonesia are the main suppliers for the US respectively.
Of the total US shrimp imports, whiteleg shrimp accounted for 69% of total imports, marine shrimp accounted for 7% and tiger shrimp 4%. Meanwhile, the level of whiteleg shrimp farming in Vietnam is quite high with the annual output reaching up to 350000 MT, so the room for exporting white shrimp of Vietnam to the US is still relatively large.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2026 marks a period of strong growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, but it is also a time when international export competition is becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 99 million in 2025, up 140% compared to the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, export value reached USD 49 million, a 151% increase year-on-year. As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to rise, Vietnam is emerging as a noteworthy competitor to traditional tilapia powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Egypt.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets showed varying trends across regions and countries. The Middle East recorded strong growth, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the largest Asian market for Vietnamese tilapia. ASEAN markets also expanded significantly, driven primarily by Malaysia. Meanwhile, Japan maintained solid growth, while exports to South Korea declined compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp and pangasius continued to lead growth, helping seafood exports reach $4.67 billion in the first five months of the year; however, differentiation among product groups and increasingly stringent requirements from importing markets are posing many challenges for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
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