The decline was attributable to weak yen, economic downturn and high shrimp price.
According to ITC, in Jan-Apr 2016, shrimp imports into Japan reached 62,300 MT, worth by US$645.7 million, up 11.4% in volume and 2.9% in value from the same period of last year. The rise was thanks to lower average import price and recovery in domestic consumption.
The statistics of ITC showed that, Vietnam remained to be the largest shrimp supplier to Japan, followed by Thailand; Indonesia and India held the 3rd and 4th rank. Among top 10 largest suppliers to Japan, shrimp imports from Indonesia, China reduced in volume and value. Imports from Thailand and India rose both in volume and value. Remarkably, shrimp imports from India rose sharply 70% and 55.4% in volume and value, respectively. Due to economic downturn, Japanese importers tend to purchase cheap shrimp from India.
In Jan-Apr 2016, the average price of shrimp imported into Japan reached US$10.23/kg, lower than that of Jan-Apr 2015 (US$11.25/kg). Among top 4 leading suppliers to Japan, the average import price from Indonesia reached the highest, followed by Vietnam. In Japan market, Vietnamese shrimp must compete with Thailand and India in price.
Thailand tend to raise its shrimp exports to Japan. Shrimp exports by Thailand to Japan made up 30% of total shrimp exports from 20% of the same period of 2015.
Thailand reduced exports to EU because the country lost GSP preference in the EU market. Thailand tend to raise its exports to Japan. Vietnamese shrimp will strongly compete with Thai competitors.
Shrimp demand from Japan is growing up, particularly cooked and ready to eat whole round shrimp. Vietnamese enterprises are focusing on the quality and the price of their products to boost exports to Japan.
By Kim Thu
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Market fluctuations, rising production costs, and increasingly stringent requirements from export markets are placing growing pressure on the shrimp industry. In response, Vinh Long Province is promoting high-tech shrimp farming integrated with production–consumption value chains to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and enhance the industry's value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports to Japan posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, while a promising new trend has emerged in the value-added product segment. Notably, Vietnamese tilapia fillets have been exported to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, creating new opportunities to enhance the value of the industry in one of the world's most demanding seafood markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program is designed as a specialized B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers, providing opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood exporters, gain the latest market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A project titled "Sustainable Shrimp Industry Governance" has been launched in Ca Mau Province with the aim of supporting the transition of the province's shrimp industry toward higher quality, lower emissions, stronger governance capacity, improved supply chain traceability, and the development of a sustainable shrimp brand that meets the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Khanh Hoa Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and the Van Hung Public Service Center, recently organized a training course on disease-free golden pompano seed production. The program is part of a National Agricultural Extension Project aimed at developing industrial-scale seed production models to support sustainable marine aquaculture.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The application of high technology in shrimp farming is delivering positive results in the coastal areas of Vinh Long Province, contributing to improved production efficiency and creating significant potential for further industry expansion. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, the province is focusing on aquaculture zoning, infrastructure investment, and promoting modern, sustainable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Đồng Tháp Province has intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing by strengthening vessel monitoring, law enforcement and seafood traceability.
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
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Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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