Shrimp exports decreased in QII/2018
After a rise in the first quarter, Vietnam’s shrimp exports in QII/2018 slightly decreased. Exports reached US$275.2 million in April 2018, down 0.4%; the figure in May was US$309.9 million, down 5.7%; and the figure in June reached $ 308.2 million, down 7.8% year on year.
In QII/2018, shrimp prices in most of main shrimp producing countries were on the downward trend. Prices of raw whiteleg shrimp from Vietnam decreased by 20-30% from April to mid-June. Prices of shrimp in Thailand and India decreased sharply during April and May. Prices at whiteleg shrimp farms sized 120 pcs/kg in the first week of July also fell to a five-year low of US$4.30 per kg.
Whiteleg shrimp exports increased
In the first 6 months of the year, exports of whiteleg shrimp occupied the main share of 67.2% in total shrimp exports; followed by black tiger shrimp with 23.7% and marine shrimp with 9.1%.
Up to June this year, whiteleg shrimp exports increased by 14% while exports of black tiger shrimp decreased by 6% over the same period last year. The export value of processed and live/fresh/frozen whiteleg shrimp increased by 21% and 9%, respectively; while that of processed and live/fresh/frozen black tiger shrimp went down 18% and 5%.
The growth slowed down in the first half of this year as exports to major markets declined, such as Japan (-11.2%), China (-13.2%) and the U.S (-7.5%). Exports to the EU stayed quite stable with the good growth rate of 38% and significantly contributed to total shrimp exports in the period. Shrimp exports to South Korea and Australia remain the good growth rates of 24% and 16%, respectively.
The EU
The EU was considered as the potential importing market of Vietnamese shrimp in 2017 and the first half of this year. Shrimp exports to the EU in all months of the period recorded the positive growth. In the first six months of this year, shrimp exports to the EU hit US$405.6 million, up 38% over the same period last year. Exports to the three major importing markets (the Netherlands, the UK, Germany) all increased by 74%, 23% and 53%, respectively.
Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU in the first half of this year maintained the high growth rate thanks to tax incentives.
The U.S
Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the U.S in the first half of this year decreased by 7.5% to eye US$255.7 million. In 2017, while shrimp exports to markets all showed the positive growth, those to the U.S decreased by 7% compared with 2016. The higher anti-dumping tax was considered as one of the reasons for the fall in shrimp exports to the market.
The tax rate in the 12th administrative review (POR12) from 1st Feb 2016- 31st Jan 2017 up to 25.39% was considered too high compared to the previous decisions. Although lawyers have found confusion in the DOC calculation and the preliminary results are only for reference, however, this decision is more or less worrying both buyers and sellers.
In addition, at the end of April 2018, shrimp was officially introduced by the U.S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) into the U.S Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP). Accordingly, as of 31st Dec 2018, shrimp importers must comply fully with the requirements of the SIMP program.
Despite this, Vietnamese shrimp has much room to grow in this market because Vietnam's shrimp export turnover to this market accounted for 10%/year (about 60,000 MT), while the export capacity of Vietnam can reach 150,000 MT.
According to statistics from 2015 up to now, the volume of shrimp imports into the U.Ss always increased sharply after June, so the second half of the year will be a favorable time for enterprises to promote their exports to this market.
In the second half of this year, when the import demand from the main markets and shrimp prices stabilize again, Vietnam’s shrimp exports are projected to total US$4 billion for the whole year.
(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.
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