The growth trend in the first five months of 2025 continues the upward trajectory seen in the second half of 2024, when Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Japan reached USD 517 million, a modest 1% increase over 2023. In previous years, exports to this market either declined or posted only minimal growth. The 14% growth recorded in the first five months of this year is therefore a notable and encouraging signal, reflecting a possible market shift amid U.S. tariff challenges.
However, this positive momentum remains under pressure from several external factors — most notably exchange rate volatility and increasing competition, especially from Indonesia. The Japanese yen has depreciated by around 40% in recent years, reducing local purchasing power and making imported shrimp more expensive in yen terms.
Japan is known for its demanding standards in shrimp imports, prioritizing product quality, appearance and processing level. Japanese consumers favor highly processed shrimp products, such as breaded shrimp, tempura shrimp, sushi shrimp and peeled shrimp — product lines where Vietnamese exporters have a competitive edge. Currently, over 90% of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Japan are value-added processed products.
However, the weak Japanese yen, which has depreciated by up to 40% in recent years, has significantly reduced purchasing power. The yen’s decline makes imported shrimp (in yen terms) more expensive, lowering domestic consumption. Additionally, Japan’s stringent regulations for exporters also impact shrimp export activities to this market.
Competitive Pressure from Indonesia and Other Rival Suppliers Indonesia’s Rising Challenge
Indonesia is rapidly emerging as a formidable competitor in the Japanese market. Facing high retaliatory tariffs from the U.S, the country is actively redirecting its 360,000–400,000 tons of annual vannamei shrimp production toward the EU and Japan. Leading Indonesian producers, such as CP Prima, have announced diversification strategies with Japan as a top-priority market. According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), Indonesia’s shrimp exports to Japan reached 101 million USD in the first four months of 2025, up 9.4% year-on-year.
Meanwhile, Vietnam’s exports also rose by 12.6% to over 150 million USD. However, the gap with Indonesia is narrowing and without an effective strategies, Vietnam risks losing its leading position in this market.
In addition to Indonesia, Japan has also increased shrimp imports from Ecuador (+49.9%) and India (+5%). This reflects a trend of suppliers seeking to diversify their markets in the context of U.S. tariff challenges.
In the first four months of this year, Japan’s shrimp imports reached 604 million USD, up 6% over the same period last year.
Vietnam’s Shrimp Structure and Advantages
Whiteleg shrimp accounts for 67% of the shrimp products exported to Japan, while black tiger shrimp makes up 18%. Value-added products such as fried shrimp and sushi-ready shrimp are Vietnam’s key competitive strengths. High processing capabilities, attractive designs and strong quality control have secured Vietnam’s shrimp a strong presence in Japan’s major distribution channels.
However, to maintain and expand market share, Vietnam needs to continuously improve product quality, reduce costs and invest in sustainable farming models — a direction highly appreciated by Japanese and international consumers.
Japan remains a stable and high-potential market for Vietnamese shrimp, especially amid global demand fluctuations. To boost exports, Vietnamese enterprises need to focus on promoting value-added processed products suited to Japanese consumer preferences such as breaded, fried, sushi and ready-to-eat shrimp. They must strictly comply with food safety regulations, invest in environmentally friendly farming models, aim for “green, clean” products and adjust pricing strategies flexibly in response to yen exchange rate volatility.
The business community has also proposed that agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry and Trade step up economic diplomacy and bilateral trade promotion to remove barriers, expand market share in Japan and support enterprises in improving logistics systems to reduce costs and delivery times.
(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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