This decline continued until August 2018, with a dip in the export value of nearly 14% over the same period last year. Due to the decline in the recent months, total shrimp exports of the country in the first eight months of this year reached US$2.3 billion, down 2.3% over the same period last year.
Shrimp supply from the main producers in the world remained high so the world price of shrimp did not increase, even low prices from some countries impacted importing markets. As a result, Vietnamese shrimp was also influenced by major consuming markets such as the U.S, the EU, Japan and China. It was predicted that in September new contracts would increase, especially when importers prepare for the year-end market.
Whiteleg shrimp remained to take the main share of Vietnam’s shrimp export products, accounting for 68%; followed by black tiger shrimp with 23% and marine shrimp with 9%. Compared with the first eight months of 2017, the proportion of whiteleg shrimp increased while the proportion of black tiger shrimp decreased.
In the first eight months of 2018, the value of whiteleg shrimp exports increased by 4%, while that of black tiger shrimp was down 8% and that of marine shrimp fell by 25% compared to the same period last year.
For whiteleg shrimp, the export value of processed whiteleg shrimp (HS code 16) increased by 12% while live/fresh/frozen whiteleg shrimp (HS code 03) decreased by 3%. For black tiger shrimp, the export value of processed black tiger shrimp (HS code 16) decreased by 20% and live/fresh/frozen black tiger shrimp (HS code 03) dropped by 6%.
The U.S
The U.S held as the third largest shrimp importing market of Vietnam, accounting for 17.2% of Vietnam’s total shrimp exports to markets. After the continuous reduction in shrimp exports to the U.S from April to July this year, exports to this market has recovered with the 14.5% growth to touch US$81.6 million in August this year. In the first eight months of this year, shrimp exports to the U.S reached US$393.4 million, down 5.4% over the same period in 2017.
Recently, the U.S Department of Commerce (DOC) has announced the final results of anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese shrimp during the 12th administrative review period - POR12 (from 1st February 2016- 1st January 2017). Specifically, the tax rate in this phase for shrimp imported from Vietnam is 4.58%, 5 times lower than expected. Thus, the final tax rate of 4.58% was much lower than the 25.39% in the preliminary result informed by the DOC on 8th March. This result is also better than the final POR11 tariff.
Vietnamese businesses are stepping up their purchasing of raw materials and signing contracts to export shrimp to the U.S. From the optimistic signal, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to this market expected to hit more than US$615 million in 2018.
The U.S is one of the major importing markets of Vietnamese shrimp with a turnover of over US$600 million a year. Therefore, the imposition of anti-dumping tax is now one of favorable conditions for Vietnamese shrimp in this market.
The EU
In August 2018, shrimp exports to the EU market decreased by 13.3% to hit US$89.3 million. The figure in the first eight months of this year was US$569.2 million, up 17.7% over the same period in 2017. Demand for Vietnamese shrimp in the EU remained good while some big competitors of Vietnam in the EU faced difficulties, so exports of Vietnamese shrimp to the EU maintained a positive growth rate in the first eight months of this year. Thailand lost its preferential tariff in the EU market, so Vietnamese shrimp had the advantage over Thai shrimp in terms of the average price of about 10%. India faced the strict EU product quality control rules. Vietnamese shrimp exports to EU expected to maintain a positive growth momentum throughout the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
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