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) 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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, the global food market is facing increasing volatility in logistics costs, energy prices, and supply chains. In the seafood sector, alongside ocean-caught products such as tuna, the surimi-based product group—including fish cakes, crab sticks, fish balls, and other imitation seafood products—has also been affected to some extent by these developments.
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
