In 2024, shrimp exports capitalized on the recovery of demand and import prices in the U.S. and China, leading to significant growth in exports to these two major markets. Moreover, shrimp exporters have maintained a strong presence in markets like Japan, South Korea, and the EU, thanks to the reputation and quality of their products, as well as the added value of processed shrimp products.
Free trade agreements have also provided a competitive edge, boosting shrimp exports to markets like the UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore.
China & Hong Kong
After a decline in Q2 2024, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China & Hong Kong rebounded strongly in Q3 and Q4. In Q4 2024, exports to this market surged by 69%, reaching USD 258 million. For the entire year, shrimp exports to China & Hong Kong totaled USD 843 million, a 39% increase compared to 2023. Due to this strong growth, China & Hong Kong surpassed the U.S., becoming Vietnam’s largest shrimp export market.
The domestic shrimp supply in China has decreased due to unfavorable weather conditions, and Ecuador has also reduced shrimp exports to China in 2024. In response, China has introduced various measures to boost consumer spending, which supports the importation of shrimp into the market.
In 2024, in the structure of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China & Hong Kong, other types of shrimp accounted for the largest share (51.7%), largely due to a significant increase in imports of lobster from Vietnam. Whiteleg shrimp followed with 36.1%, and black tiger shrimp accounted for 12.2%.
United States
In 2024, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the U.S. reached USD 756 million, an 11% increase compared to 2023. Throughout 2024, exports to the U.S. showed positive growth in all four quarters, except for a slight dip in Q2. Exports to this market accelerated in the second half of the year.
In 2024, whiteleg shrimp continued to dominate the product structure of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the U.S., making up 84.3% of the total. Black tiger shrimp followed with 9.3%, while other types of shrimp made up the remaining portion.
The top three shrimp exporters to the U.S. were Sóc Trăng Seafood JSC, Sao Ta Food JSC, and Clean Seafood JSC.
Japan
In 2024, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Japan reached USD 517 million, a 1% increase compared to 2023. After declining in the first two quarters of 2024, shrimp exports to Japan rebounded in Q3 and Q4, though growth remained modest.
From mid-Q3 2024, the Japanese Yen strengthened significantly, improving purchasing power. Additionally, Vietnam’s main competitor in the Japanese market, India, faced controversies over the use of child labor, which led Japanese importers to favor Vietnamese shrimp.
European Union
In 2024, shrimp exports to the EU reached USD 484 million, a 15% increase compared to 2023. The top three import markets within the EU were Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Exports to these three markets all saw double-digit growth, with the Netherlands recording the highest growth rate of 22% in 2024.
In the structure of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU in 2024, whiteleg shrimp continued to dominate, accounting for 80.6%, followed by black tiger shrimp at 12.2%, with other types of shrimp making up the rest.
Some of the leading companies exporting shrimp to the EU include Thong Thuan Cam Ranh Seafood JSC, Thuan Phuoc Seafood and Trading JSC, Nha Trang Seafoods - F17 JSC, and Minh Phu-Hau Giang Seafood JSC.
South Korea
In 2024, shrimp exports to South Korea reached USD 334 million, a 3% decrease compared to 2023. Vietnam's shrimp exports to South Korea continue to be affected by the country’s shrimp import quotas, with companies facing substantial costs to secure these quotas.
According to ITC data, South Korea's shrimp imports in the first 11 months of 2024 totaled USD 723 million, up 3% compared to the same period in 2023. Vietnam remains the largest shrimp supplier to South Korea, with a dominant market share of 46%. China ranks second with a 10% market share. In the first 11 months of 2024, South Korea increased shrimp imports from Peru, China, and Canada.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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