In 2021, Vietnam's shrimp exports will face many difficulties due to the impact of the 4th Covid-19 epidemic. The Covid-19 epidemic disrupts the global supply chain, increasing costs, especially shipping costs to markets.
The bright spot of Vietnamese shrimp in 2021 is to maintain a fairly good growth in the US market throughout the year. In 2021, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US reached over 1 billion USD, an increase of 20% compared to 2020.
In 2021, Vietnam's shrimp market share in the US market has increased to 13% from 11% in 2020. Retail sales in the US maintained an increase during the pandemic. Demand for restaurants and food services in the US gradually recovered thanks to the economic stimulus packages of the US Government and the strategy of opening up and living with Covid. The growth rate of Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US will continue until the first quarter of 2022.
Along with the US, the EU is also a Vietnamese shrimp import market that recorded positive activity in 2021. In 2021, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the EU reached more than 613 million USD, up 19% compared to 2020. Shrimp exports to three main markets (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium) increased by 11%, 25% and 19%, respectively.
One year after the EVFTA Agreement between Vietnam and the EU took effect, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the EU market recorded good growth.
In contrast, Vietnam's shrimp exports to China and Japan in 2021 decreased.
Vietnam's shrimp exports to China in 2021 will reach more than $412 million, down 22%. In 2021, exports to China dropped sharply because the country applied a "zero Covid" policy and strict inspection at the port to prevent the Covid epidemic.
Exports to Japan in 2021 will reach 578 million USD, down 6% compared to 2020. The country's economic growth slows down because Covid reduces the demand for seafood, including shrimp. Vietnam's shrimp exports to Japan are still subject to 100% inspection regulations, so shrimp exports to this country in 2021 cannot increase.
For more information on Vietnam's shrimp production and export over the 5-year chain (2016-2021), the impact of Covid on the industry, and trends in world markets, please refer to the Report on shrimp sector in Vietnam, 2016-2021 and forecast to 2025.
(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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