In the first 2 months of 2016, shrimp exports to China hit US$64.8 million; accounting for over 17% of total exports of Vietnam; up 36.5% year on year - the strongest growth among the top 10 shrimp importers of Vietnam. Thanks to the growth, China became the second largest importer of Vietnam shrimp (after the U.S) in Jan-Feb 2016. China’s government encouraged importing raw shrimp to offset domestic shrimp production which was declining, this led to high import demand for shrimp to process and re-export.
In 2015 and Jan-Feb 2016, the proportion of Vietnam's black tiger shrimp exports to China doubled compared to whiteleg shrimp. China mainly imports live/fresh/frozen shrimp (HS 03) from Vietnam, accounting for about 95% of total shrimp exports to the market.
On Dec, 15th 2015, Vietnam National Agro Forestry Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD) received the official letter No. TCO 848 from Vietnam's embassy in China. Accordingly, General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China (AQSIQ) allowed 4 live tiger shrimp packaging facilities and 14 black tiger shrimp farms in Vietnam to restore live black tiger shrimp exports to China. Earlier, on Feb, 5th 2015, AQSIQ banned imports of live black tiger shrimp from Vietnam on a fear of disease. After 11 months, the ban has been removed.
Since 2016, Vietnam’s enterprises can export live black tiger shrimp back to China that contributed into the growth in shrimp sales to China in Jan-Feb 2016.
According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), shrimp imports into China in 2015 reached 102,843 MT; worth by US$754.5 million; up 31.7% in volume and 36% in value. Ecuador was the main shrimp supplier to China, accounting for 25% of the total shrimp imports of China. Vietnam ranks the 10th among top shrimp suppliers to China, accounting for 1.4%. China tends to raise shrimp imports for processing and domestic consumption, especially amid decline in shrimp production due to diseases.
Ecuador is the main competitor with Vietnam in Chinese market. In 2025, Ecuador exported 50% of total shrimp output to China. In 2016, China is expected to continue to be an important market of Ecuador shrimp.
China is still considered as a large and potential market of Vietnam shrimp in 2016 thanks to its high shrimp demand, favorable geographical distance. Vietnam enterprises should continue to build brand name of their products, ensure the sustainable development from farming, processing to meet demand of strict markets and expand new ones.
Written by Kim Thu
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of 2025, Vietnam’s seafood industry had left a strong mark with export turnover reaching nearly $11.3 billion, up 12.4% year-on-year. This robust performance reflects not only a rebound in global consumption demand but also the agile adaptation of domestic firms in navigating increasingly stringent trade barriers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the 2025 review and 2026 outlook conference held by the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance on the afternoon of January 7, Vietnam’s seafood sector has set a total production target of over 10 million tons in 2026, representing a 0.6% increase year-on-year. Of this total, capture fisheries are projected at around 3.75 million tons (down 2.1%), while aquaculture output is expected to reach 6.25 million tonnes (up 2.2%) compared with 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sao Ta Food JSC (Fimex, Ticker: FMC) has announced its 2025 business results, reporting revenue of over $300 million (approximately 7.8 trillion VND), representing a 19.8% increase year-on-year; projected profit is expected to reach approximately 420 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s fisheries sector concluded 2025 with landmark achievements: export turnover reached a record high, despite heightened volatility in global trade and increasingly stringent barriers from major markets, most notably the United States. Amid a mix of opportunities and challenges, the fisheries sector also witnessed important policy shifts. Together, these developments form a multifaceted picture of an industry proactively adapting and restructuring toward a trajectory of sustainable development.
(seafoos.vasep.com.vn) According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long, the province’s shrimp farming area reached 69,800 hectares in 2025, including 7,500 hectares under high-tech farming models, 18,820 tons of black tiger shrimp and 293,000 tons of whiteleg shrimp.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Building on a robust growth momentum in 2025, Nghe An province has set a strategic goal to reach a total fisheries output of 270,000 tons by 2026, reinforcing its position as a key hub for aquaculture and exploitation.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho City statistics indicate that in 2025, following the merger of three former administrative entities - Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang - fisheries output in 2025 increased by 6.23% compared with 2024 with aquaculture production nearly 9.1 times higher than capture fisheries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ca Mau province has achieved significant, comprehensive and substantive progress in combating IUU fishing in 2025, successfully fulfilling all tasks directed by the central government and strengthening fisheries governance. These efforts have established a solid foundation for the nationwide effort to lift the EC’s "yellow card" warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau has exceeded its 2025 production targets, reaching nearly 595,000 tons of shrimp. This milestone reinforces the province’s position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp producer and a bright spot in the country’s seafood sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, cumulative shrimp exports from the beginning of the year through November reached $4.3 billion, up 21% year-on-year, continuing to serve as the primary growth driver of the entire seafood sector. In November alone, export turnover amounted to $393 million, up 14%.
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