Growth in October was strongly supported by whiteleg shrimp products and by China, which continues to show robust demand for Vietnam’s fresh and frozen shrimp.
China and CPTPP lead the expansion
In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to most major markets increased. China & Hong Kong was the standout, reaching USD 1.1 billion, up 64% — the strongest growth among all markets. In October alone, this market recorded USD 140 million, maintaining the top position both monthly and cumulatively.
The CPTPP bloc reached over USD 1 billion in the 10-month period, up 33% year-on-year. October exports reached USD 121 million. This region provides stability thanks to steady demand in Japan, Canada, and Australia.
Exports to the US reached USD 702 million, up 9% year-on-year. October exports stood at USD 114 million, indicating sustained demand despite competition from Ecuador and India.
Exports to the EU reached USD 487 million, up 20% year-on-year. In October, this market posted USD 53 million, showing continued stable demand for processed, certified, and value-added products.
Notably, Taiwan recorded very strong growth in October, reaching USD 12 million—up nearly 80% from October 2024—highlighting expansion prospects in Asia–Pacific markets.
Whiteleg shrimp remains the core product; black tiger shrimp stable
Whiteleg shrimp continued to account for the largest share, reaching USD 2.5 billion, or nearly 65% of total 10-month export value. This product group recorded the highest growth thanks to competitive prices, large supply, and wide acceptance in major markets.
Black tiger shrimp reached USD 385 million (about 10% of total exports). Exports remained stable due to steady demand in Japan and strong demand for large-sized and eco-shrimp in China. Other shrimp products reached USD 991 million, a sharp increase year-on-year, reflecting growing production of frozen and deeply processed items that improve factory efficiency and target higher-value market segments.
Asia continues to be the key growth engine
Since the beginning of the year, Asia has been the strongest driver of Vietnam’s shrimp export growth. China–Hong Kong rose more than 60%, Taiwan surged in October, and Korea maintained mild growth. This shows improving regional demand amid gradual economic recovery, geographic advantages, and market diversification strategies in the context of US tariff pressures.
Meanwhile, the US, Japan, and the EU maintained stable growth, mainly in value-added and processed shrimp categories.
Shrimp exports are expected to slow in the last quarter, mainly due to US tariffs and other trade defense measures — a major challenge for Vietnam’s second-largest shrimp market. These pressures affect costs, competitiveness, and contract timelines.
If exporters continue to optimize value-added products, uphold quality, and diversify markets, the slowdown can be mitigated. However, the general trend suggests that Q4 growth will be slower or slightly lower than in mid-year months.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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