In the first eight months of 2018, imports of shrimp to Japan reached US$1.5 billion, down by 4.5% over the same period in 2017. In the top six shrimp suppliers of Japan, imports of shrimp from India, Indonesia increased slightly while imports from Vietnam, Argentina and China decreased compared with the same period last year.
In the first eight months of this year, imports of shrimps to Japan fell due to high inventories from the beginning of the year as well fluctuations of the Yen currency exchange rate. Exports from suppliers such as China and Argentina plummeted sharply due to shrunken shrimp production in these countries.
Vietnam remained the largest shrimp supplier to Japan, accounting for 25.7% of total shrimp imports of the country. Thailand ranked second with 18.9%, followed by Indonesia with 16% and India with 12.6%. The position of the largest shrimp suppliers to Japan has not changed since 2015. The average price of shrimp imports from Vietnam is the highest (12 US$/kg) in the top suppliers, calling for price competition of Vietnam with other suppliers in this market (Indonesia: 11 US$/kg, Thailand: 11.5 US$/kg, India: 9.5 US$/kg ...)
According to statistics of Vietnam Customs, as of September this year, Vietnam shrimp exports to Japan reached US$453.3 million, down 11.7% over the same period in 2017. Japan is the third largest shrimp exports market in Vietnam, accounting for 17.3% of the total export value.
For many years, Vietnam has maintained its No. 1 position in shrimp supply to Japan due to its advantages over other suppliers in the Japan market. The ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (AJCEP) (in effect since 1 December 2008) and Japan-Viet Nam Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA) (in effect since 1 October 2009) have helped create the most favorable conditions for tariffs for Vietnam seafood exports to Japan. For AJCEP, immediately after being in effect in 2009, shrimp products of Vietnam were entitled to 0% tax rate.
Processed shrimp products with high convenience are expected to grow well in the near future as Japan's ready-to-eat food business grows, thanks to the increase in the number of single people and decrease in the proportion of housewives. In order to promote shrimp exports to Japan, enterprises should innovate their market approach and enhance brand promotion for their products.
|
Shrimp imports into Japan (Value: US$thousand, Source: ITC) |
|||
|
Supplier |
M1-T8/2017 |
M1-T8/2018 |
Variation (%) |
|
World |
1,537,676 |
1,468,395 |
-4.5 |
|
Vietnam |
419,013 |
376,829 |
-10.1 |
|
India |
182,579 |
184,843 |
1.2 |
|
Thailand |
267,672 |
277,272 |
3.6 |
|
Indonesia |
224,924 |
234,457 |
4.2 |
|
Argentina |
86,021 |
69,605 |
-19.1 |
|
China |
67,658 |
63,574 |
-6.0 |
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(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.
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