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) 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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
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