Clear signals from major exporting countries
Ecuador, traditionally known for exporting HOSO (head-on, shell-on) shrimp to China, has now accelerated its move into the processed product segment, particularly for the U.S. and EU markets. In June 2025, Ecuador exported a record 126,074 tons of shrimp, up 18% year-on-year. Exports to the U.S. reached 21,388 tons (+44%) and to the EU reached 28,617 tons (+42%).
Beyond volume growth, Ecuador has also strengthened exports of peeled, quick-cleaned, and processed products such as PD, PPV, and HLSO shrimp. The country’s value-added output surged from 127,980 tons in 2020 to 268,720 tons in 2022, doubling in just two years.
India, despite facing heavy U.S. anti-dumping duties (nearly 60%), has maintained positive shrimp export growth to the U.S. in the first seven months of this year. However, the pressure from the U.S. market has pushed Indian exporters to pivot toward the EU, where India is negotiating the removal of import restrictions starting October 2025. If successful, competition in the EU—especially in the ready-to-eat and processed segments—is expected to intensify.
Indonesia, meanwhile, faces significant challenges as 60% of its shrimp exports depend on the U.S. The country’s total exports in 2025 are projected to reach only around 220,000 tons. The newly imposed 19% U.S. tariff could cause a 30% export decline, forcing many expansion plans to halt. Indonesian exporters are now turning to China (which imports nearly 1 million tons per year) and the Middle East, but lower prices are squeezing profit margins.
Consumer demand reshaping the market
On the demand side, the U.S., EU, and China are showing a clear preference for value-added shrimp products.
Europe: Rapid growth in demand—particularly in Southern Europe—driven by younger consumers favoring convenient, ready-to-eat products, along with strict sustainability certification requirements.
China: Still self-sufficient for around 70% of domestic consumption but increasingly importing to diversify. Consumers there enjoy everything from frozen whole shrimp to ready-to-cook or ready-to-eat items.
United States: Continues to increase imports from Ecuador while imposing high tariffs on India, creating indirect opportunities for suppliers with transparent supply chains such as Vietnam.
This consumer shift is putting major pressure on exporters that still rely heavily on raw materials. Countries that invest early in processing capacity, product standardization, and international certifications will gain a competitive edge in the new landscape.
Opportunities and challenges for Vietnam
As a global processing hub, Vietnam faces both opportunities and challenges. Vietnamese shrimp processors have a total capacity of millions of tons per year, capable of supplying a wide range of products—from frozen blocks to cooked, breaded, and retail-packed value-added shrimp. This gives Vietnam a significant advantage in adapting to the ongoing trend.
However, major import markets such as the U.S. and EU are also tightening regulations on food safety and trade fraud prevention, creating new compliance burdens for exporters.
In the first eight months of 2025, Vietnam’s value-added shrimp exports (HS code 16) reached USD 1 billion, up 12% year-on-year, accounting for 34% of total shrimp export value. The main markets for Vietnam’s value-added shrimp include the U.S. (28% share), Japan (18%), and South Korea (8%).
The transition from raw shrimp to value-added products is accelerating rapidly. Ecuador stands as a vivid example, having increased both export volume and processing proportion to expand into the U.S. and EU. India and Indonesia are also being forced to adapt to retain their market shares.
This presents a crucial opportunity for Vietnam. By leveraging its strong processing base, enhancing supply chain transparency, complying with sustainability standards, and investing in product innovation, Vietnam can solidify its position as a global center for value-added shrimp processing.
In an era of fierce competition, the future of the shrimp industry will no longer rely on raw production volume—but on value-added innovation and sustainable branding.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
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