Vietnam’s shrimp exports hit a record USD 4.6 billion in 2025

This impressive export performance was driven by a combination of factors. Notably, lobster exports to China surged strongly, while Vietnamese enterprises accelerated shipments to the US ahead of periods when the US announced reciprocal tariffs and amid risks related to anti-dumping duties. At the same time, major competitors in the US market such as India and Indonesia faced significant challenges, including tax issues affecting Indian shrimp and quality-related incidents involving Indonesian shrimp. Against this backdrop, Vietnamese shrimp exporters made strong efforts to overcome difficulties, flexibly shift market focus, maintain product quality and expand deep processing.

China remains the top market

In 2025, China continued to be Vietnam’s largest shrimp import market. Export value to China reached USD 1.23 billion, accounting for 26.6% of total shrimp exports and surging by 60.8% year-on-year. Including Hong Kong, the combined China–Hong Kong market generated USD 1.3 billion, equivalent to a 28.3% market share, up 55% compared to 2024.

China’s shrimp consumption is showing strong segmentation. The mid-range segment is under pressure as consumers tighten spending, while the high-end segment and convenience or processed products continue to grow well. This trend creates significant opportunities for Vietnam’s competitive products such as lobster, black tiger shrimp and premium shrimp lines.

US exports grow in the first half, risks emerge toward year-end

Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the US in 2025 reached USD 796 million, up 5.4% from 2024 and accounting for 17.2% of total export value. However, in December 2025 alone, exports to the US fell to USD 45.2 million, down 16.4% year-on-year.

Throughout 2025, shrimp exports to the US faced multiple trade barriers, including reciprocal tariffs, countervailing duties and risks of anti-dumping duties. Toward the end of the year, US import demand tended to slow as buyers reduced inventories and adjusted procurement strategies.

EU and CPTPP: stable buffers amid uncertainty

As the US market becomes increasingly unpredictable, the EU and CPTPP markets have emerged as stable pillars for Vietnam’s shrimp exports.

Exports to the EU reached USD 579.8 million in 2025, up 19.9% and accounting for 12.6% of total turnover. Several EU markets posted strong growth, including Germany (+25.1%), Belgium (+22.3%), the Netherlands (+8.2%) and the UK (+6.6%). These markets place high importance on quality, certification and traceability—areas where Vietnamese shrimp hold clear advantages.

Exports to CPTPP member countries totaled USD 1.25 billion, up 28.8% and accounting for 27.3% of total shrimp exports. Japan, South Korea and Australia continued to maintain stable import levels, providing an important buffer for the industry amid volatility in the US market.

Product structure

In 2025, whiteleg shrimp remained the backbone of Vietnam’s shrimp exports, generating USD 2.98 billion, accounting for 64.6% of total turnover and increasing by 9.6%. Black tiger shrimp exports reached USD 452.9 million, representing 9.8% of the total and posting a modest increase of 1.2%.

Meanwhile, exports of other shrimp categories surged nearly 67%, becoming the strongest growth driver for the entire industry. Notably, within this group, live/fresh/frozen shrimp exports soared by 97.2%, reflecting the strong boom in lobster and high-end shrimp shipments to China.

Outlook for 2026

Entering 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp industry is expected to continue facing an increasingly challenging global trade environment.

Concerns over potential US anti-dumping duties are likely to weigh on shrimp export turnover in the early months of 2026. Meanwhile, China, the EU and CPTPP markets are expected to remain key growth drivers, though short-term adjustments driven by consumption cycles and price fluctuations cannot be ruled out.

As Ecuador and India continue to expand output at lower costs, Vietnam’s competitive edge will not lie in price competition, but rather in quality, traceability, deep processing and high-end market segments.

The year 2026 will be a critical test of strategic resilience for Vietnamese shrimp enterprises. The industry’s ability to remain resilient will depend on effectively leveraging stable markets, managing risks in the US, and continuing to upgrade value across the global supply chain.