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.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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