In terms of product structure, whiteleg shrimp continued to dominate with over 64% market share; black tiger shrimp recorded slight growth, while the “other shrimp” category stood out with triple-digit growth, driven by strong demand for lobsters.
Domestic raw shrimp prices remained high compared to competing suppliers, despite a slight adjustment in early September, reflecting that supply is still relatively tight.
China and Hong Kong markets continued to shine with a 62% growth in August, bringing the 8-month export value to USD 836 million, up 75% and accounting for nearly 30% of the country’s total shrimp exports. Demand focused on live products and premium segments such as lobsters and large black tiger shrimp, helping Vietnamese companies leverage unique advantages over Ecuador and India. However, rising import inventories in China and falling local selling prices indicate potential short-term adjustments.
In the US market, shrimp exports in August reached USD 92.6 million, slightly up 1.4% year-on-year, lifting the 8-month value to nearly USD 500 million. This reaffirms the US as a key destination for Vietnamese shrimp, though evolving trade policies pose significant challenges. The preliminary results of POR19 imposed much higher anti-dumping duties than before, along with countervailing and compensatory duties, which may considerably impact competitiveness. The shrimp industry, associations, and authorities are actively working to safeguard legitimate interests. While awaiting the final ruling, exporters are advised to exercise caution in signing new contracts and proactively diversify markets to ease dependency pressures.
The EU market also sustained positive momentum, with exports in August reaching USD 66.9 million, up 19% year-on-year. Cumulatively, exports to the EU hit nearly USD 376 million, up 17%. Germany, Belgium, and France remained the key drivers, while the Netherlands primarily served as a transit hub. With annual demand forecast to hit record levels, the EU remains a crucial market for Vietnamese shrimp, especially for deeply processed products with sustainability, transparency, and traceability certifications.
The CPTPP bloc posted a strong performance, with August exports exceeding USD 130 million, up 40%. Over the first 8 months, exports to CPTPP markets reached USD 829 million, up 36%. Japan and Australia were the main growth engines, driven by stable demand for convenient, high-quality products.
In addition, markets such as South Korea and Taiwan maintained double-digit growth during the 8-month period, while Russia and Canada showed signs of stagnation.
Looking ahead, China and the EU are expected to sustain robust growth in the remaining months of the year, while the US requires close monitoring due to tariff developments. Despite uncertainties, growth opportunities remain, supported by improving global demand, particularly during the year-end peak season.
In this diversified market landscape, Vietnamese shrimp exporters need greater flexibility in strategy. Instead of over-relying on a single destination, they should actively tap into CPTPP, EU, and China simultaneously to balance risks. At the same time, upgrading products toward value-added lines, coupled with certifications such as ASC, organic, and sustainability, will help enhance competitiveness in segments less vulnerable to price pressures. Strengthening linkages with farming areas to stabilize supply, control quality, and manage costs will also be key success factors.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(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.
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