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) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
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