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) 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.
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(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.
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
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