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) The year 2026 marks a period of strong growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, but it is also a time when international export competition is becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 99 million in 2025, up 140% compared to the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, export value reached USD 49 million, a 151% increase year-on-year. As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to rise, Vietnam is emerging as a noteworthy competitor to traditional tilapia powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Egypt.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets showed varying trends across regions and countries. The Middle East recorded strong growth, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the largest Asian market for Vietnamese tilapia. ASEAN markets also expanded significantly, driven primarily by Malaysia. Meanwhile, Japan maintained solid growth, while exports to South Korea declined compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp and pangasius continued to lead growth, helping seafood exports reach $4.67 billion in the first five months of the year; however, differentiation among product groups and increasingly stringent requirements from importing markets are posing many challenges for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(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.
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