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) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
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