In the first 8 months of 2022, in the top 10 main shrimp import markets of Vietnam, shrimp exports to the US and UK decreased, while exports to the remaining markets all grew positively.
Despite recording growth, by August 2022, Vietnam's shrimp exports are facing many problems in terms of raw material supply, transportation costs, high production costs while consumption demand in major markets such as the US and EU slowed down in the context of high inflation and a decline in economic growth in these countries. Vietnam shrimp exports in August 2022 still recorded a growth of more than 40% in comparison to the same period last year, (at that time many processing and exporting enterprises had to stop or reduce their operating capacity due to social distancing to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic)
In the first 8 months of 2022, in the structure of Vietnam's shrimp exports, whiteleg shrimp accounted for 75%, black tiger shrimp accounted for 14%, the rest was marine shrimp. Marine shrimp exports increased by 78% while vannamei and black tiger shrimp exports increased by 21% and 11%, respectively. In the first 8 months of this year, the export value of processed shrimp products recorded a higher growth rate than fresh/frozen shrimp products.
The US is still the largest import market of Vietnam shrimp, accounting for 20%. Vietnam shrimp exports to the US began to slow down in May and decreased continuously from June to August. In August 2022, shrimp exports to the US reached more than $68 million, down 27%. Accumulated in the first 8 months of this year, shrimp exports to the US reached more than 619 million USD, down 9% over the same period.
The US’s shrimp imports tend to decrease after a sharp increase in the first months of this year. According to data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), US shrimp imports in July 2022 reached 67,782 tons, decreasing 12% compared to June and 11.3% lower than the same period.
Inventories in the US have reached the maximum level because in the first months of the year many companies increased their imports after 2 years of being heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales in the US are also slowing down, so importers have not yet made many new orders.
Inflation in the US, fluctuating exchange rates, and high selling costs have made it difficult for Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US in recent months. Meanwhile, major competitors in the US market such as Ecuador and India have both advantages in freight rates because of their proximity and cheap shrimp.
Shrimp exports to Japan in August this year recorded a growth of 120% to over $67 million. As of August 2022, shrimp exports to this market reached $463 million, up 21% over the same period last year. Shrimp exports to Japan seem to be better than the US and EU markets due to lower freight rates. Japan prefers deeply processed products from Vietnam, which would be an advantage of Vietnam against other suppliers.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn
