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.
(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.
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