In the first 6 months of this year, except for the Chinese market, Vietnam's shrimp exports to major markets and blocks such as the CPTPP, the US and the EU all increased by double digits from 14% to 36%. Japan and South Korea both reduced economic growth in addition to the impact of Covid-19, but Vietnam's shrimp exports to these markets still increased slightly by 3% to 4%. Notably, the two markets Australia and Russia, although not being big import markets, recorded impressive growth rates of 80% to 90%. China is the only main shrimp import market of Vietnam that recorded a negative growth of 20%.
Regarding export products, in the first half of this year, Vietnam's vannamei export value grew by 24% while the export value of black tiger shrimp and marine shrimp decreased by 4% and 22% respectively over the same period of last year.
CPTPP
In the first 6 months of this year, the value of shrimp exports to countries in the CPTPP agreement reached US$482.8 million, up by 14%, accounting for 28% of the total shrimp export value. In which, Japan is the largest shrimp import market with a total export value of 290.2 million USD, up by 4.3% over the same period of last year.
In 2020 and in the first quarter of this year, Vietnam's shrimp exports to Japan did not increase due to unstable economic growth in Japan, adding to the negative impact of the Covid wave, restaurants also limited operations, reducing consumer demand. By the second quarter of this year, the number of Covid cases in Japan decreased and vaccination was promoted. As a result, Vietnam's shrimp exports to Japan increased slightly. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games scheduled to take place in July in Japan may increase the demand for seafood imports including shrimp from Japan.
Notably, in the first 6 months of 2021, shrimp exports to Australia increased sharply by 81%, reaching more than 88.7 million USD. In June 2021 alone, shrimp export value to this market reached 16.9 million USD, up by 89%.
The US - EU
The US is the largest single import market for Vietnamese shrimp. The demand of US shrimp imports from Vietnam has been quite stable since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Vietnamese shrimp in the US market is becoming more and more competitive when India (the largest supplier of shrimp in the US) faces many barriers due to the Covid epidemic.
In the first half of this year, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US reached 439.8 million USD, up by 36% over the same period of last year. In the structure of exported shrimp products, steamed and processed white shrimp accounted for nearly 47% of the value to the US with an average price of 10.15 - 11.5 USD/kg. The second largest export product is tempura breaded shrimp, accounting for 16.5% with an average export price of 10.5 - 10.7 USD/kg. Frozen vannamei shrimp (HS03061721) accounted for 15% with the export value of 9.6 to 9.8 USD/kg.
Retail sales in the US remained positive during the pandemic. The demand of US shrimp imports is still high for takeout and delivery. Demand for restaurants and food services in the US gradually recovered thanks to the rapid rate of vaccination in this country.
In the first half of this year, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the EU reached $255.6 million, up by 27.3% over the same period of last year. Vietnam's shrimp exports to this market this year have had better growth than last year.
In the second quarter of this year, foodservice shops in Europe began to reopen as Covid cases continued to decline and vaccinations were implemented. Summer shrimp consumption in Europe increases, shrimp stocks are at a low level, along with the Free Trade Agreement with the EU will be an opportunity for Vietnamese shrimp exporters to this market in the near future.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2026 marks a period of strong growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, but it is also a time when international export competition is becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 99 million in 2025, up 140% compared to the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, export value reached USD 49 million, a 151% increase year-on-year. As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to rise, Vietnam is emerging as a noteworthy competitor to traditional tilapia powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Egypt.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets showed varying trends across regions and countries. The Middle East recorded strong growth, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the largest Asian market for Vietnamese tilapia. ASEAN markets also expanded significantly, driven primarily by Malaysia. Meanwhile, Japan maintained solid growth, while exports to South Korea declined compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp and pangasius continued to lead growth, helping seafood exports reach $4.67 billion in the first five months of the year; however, differentiation among product groups and increasingly stringent requirements from importing markets are posing many challenges for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
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