Shrimp exports fell sharply in the first two months of this year due to sluggish market demand, high inflation, high inventories in the US, tight consumption in the EU due to economic difficulties. In addition, the strong decline can be explained as this time last year, shrimp exports increased too strongly (with $ 558 million, up 48% over the same period in 2021).
In February 2023, shrimp exports to main markets decreased from 12% to 35%, some markets showed signs of growth such as China, Australia and France, increased from 4-7%. Among the top 5 main import markets, shrimp exports to the US and EU decreased dramatically; shrimp exports to Japan and Korea also decreased but slightly; exports to China recovered, up 4%.
In the first 2 months of the year, shrimp exports to the US, EU and Japan increased from 51-58 million USD. Exports to Korea reached $46 million, exports to China&HK reached $34 million. Exports to these markets in the first 2 months of this year decreased by 16%-51% over the same period.
Competition between Vietnamese shrimp with Ecuador and India this year is also more intense when Ecuador's shrimp output in 2023 is expected to reach 1.5 million tons
In terms of shrimp production output, shrimp farming is in a transitional phase towards improving quality, renovating and repairing ponds and lakes, focusing on the quality of seed to limit diseases. Generally, by Feb 2023, whiteleg shrimp production reached 60.2 thousand tons, up 0.5%, black tiger shrimp production reached 31.3 thousand tons, up 0.3%.
In the last months of 2022 and into the beginning of this year, global inflation increased, world economic instability led to a decline in demand. Competition between Vietnamese shrimp with Ecuador and India this year is also more intense when Ecuador's shrimp output in 2023 is expected to reach 1.5 million tons. The price of imported shrimp in the world market has decreased gradually since the end of 2022 and is forecast to continue to decrease further as supply in 2023 is expected to increase.
In the difficult context, businesses must reduce costs, focus on added value products, and improve product quality. Enterprises can redirect exports to specific products such as shrimp-forest, shrimp-rice or black tiger shrimp, taking advantage of the Chinese market. Enterprises need to focus on changing product structure to actively meet the needs of each market segment.
Regardless of challenges, dynamic businesses that adapt early to new conditions will continue to dominate the market.
Vietnam’s shrimp exports situation will be brighter in the coming months when inventories in the US decrease and the world economic situation changes positively. In particular, the North American Seafood Fair taking place on March 12, 2023 is also expected to help increase shrimp export sales to the US market and other markets.
Compied by Thuy Linh
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached nearly US$1.1 billion in June 2026, up 21.0% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first half of 2026 totaled nearly US$5.8 billion, representing a 12.8% increase compared with the same period last year. Exports to China and Hong Kong continued to accelerate, while shipments to the United States rebounded strongly in June. In contrast, exports to the EU, Japan, and the Middle East remained sluggish or recorded slight declines.
(vasep.com.vn) Tilapia is playing an increasingly important role in Vietnam’s aquaculture sector, driven not only by growing market opportunities but also by its ability to meet increasingly stringent requirements on quality, food safety, and traceability. In practice, tilapia farming in Vietnam is not a spontaneous or loosely regulated activity; rather, it operates under a comprehensive legal and technical framework covering the entire value chain—from hatcheries and farming to processing and exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.9 billion in the first five months of 2026, up 12% compared with the same period last year. Amid continued volatility in the global seafood market, this result demonstrates that the shrimp sector has maintained positive growth momentum, supported by improving demand in several Asian markets, particularly China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On June 16, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau Province announced that the locality has established a farming area code for nearly 30,400 hectares of mud crab aquaculture and granted export facility codes to five enterprises eligible to export mud crab officially to markets such as China, Cambodia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The United States remains one of the largest export markets for Vietnamese pangasius. In the first four months of 2026, pangasius exports to the US reached USD 106 million, up 4% compared to the same period in 2025. In April 2026 alone, export value totaled USD 38 million, marking a 20% year-on-year increase and the first positive growth recorded after an extended period of decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While Vietnam’s shrimp exports to many major markets continued to post positive growth in the first months of 2026, exports to the United States declined, highlighting growing competitive pressures and trade barriers facing the Vietnamese shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Egypt is emerging as one of the most promising destinations for Vietnamese tuna exports in 2026. During the first four months of the year, export turnover to this market exceeded USD 7.3 million, marking a sharp increase compared to the same period over the previous two years. As Egypt’s tuna imports continue to recover and demand for canned tuna remains strong, the market is becoming increasingly attractive for Vietnamese tuna processors and exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to CPTPP member countries reached nearly USD 128 million, accounting for 18% of the country’s total pangasius export value and increasing by 21% compared to the same period in 2025. Demand patterns varied significantly across the bloc: Mexico primarily imported fresh and frozen pangasius products, while Japan and Canada recorded substantial shares of processed products. Australia remained focused on frozen fillets but continued to maintain a portion of processed imports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Despite the slow recovery of the U.S. market and continued trade-related challenges facing Vietnam’s shrimp industry, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation (MPC) has set ambitious targets for 2026. The company aims to produce 68,800 metric tons of finished shrimp products, generate consolidated revenue of VND 19.9 trillion, and achieve VND 1.059 trillion in pre-tax profit. If achieved, these figures would represent the highest revenue and profit levels in the company’s history.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company (HungHau Foods) has been honored at the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Forum, receiving two prestigious awards: “Top 10 Outstanding Asia-Pacific Enterprises 2026” and “Top 10 Outstanding Entrepreneurs” awarded to HungHau Foods CEO, Ms. Nguyen Yen.
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