Vietnam shrimp exports tend to decrease compared to the same period last year due to lower shrimp prices and import demand from major markets. Domestic shrimp prices in the first months of 2018 were affected by world market factors due to the cold weather, snowstorms in countries like the US and Canada; which made the consumption of shrimps decrease significantly, leading to high inventories in Japan, South Korea and EU.
Whiteleg shrimp still occupied a key position in the structure of total shrimp products exports of Vietnam, accounting for 68.7%, followed by black tiger shrimp at 22.9% and marine shrimp at 8.3%.
In the first 10 months of 2018, the value of whiteleg shrimp exports decreased by 1%, while the export of black tiger shrimp decreased by 7% and that of marine shrimp decreased by 32% compared to the same period last year.
In the structure of whiteleg shrimp and tiger shrimp exports, only processed whiteleg shrimp processed (HS code 16) increased by 7%, while other products fell.
In October this year, Vietnam shrimp exports to major markets fell sharply such as EU (-30.6%), China (-38%), Korea (-18.4%), Japan (- 5%). However, exports to the US increased slightly by 0.8%. Notably, shrimp export to ASEAN increased remarkably by 55% compared to the same period last year.
EU
The EU is Vietnam's largest shrimp import market, accounting for 24.4% of Vietnam's total shrimp exports. In the first two quarters of this year, Vietnam shrimp exports to EU increased strongly in the context of falling shrimp exports to other major markets like the US, China and Japan. However, as in the third quarter of this year, exporting shrimp to this market began to decline. In October this year, shrimp exports to the EU fell sharply by 30.6%, similar to the continuous decrease in three major markets.
However, thanks to good growth in the first 2 quarters, Vietnam shrimp exports to EU market by October this year still increased slightly by 4.4%, reaching US$724.7 million
The UK, the Netherlands and Germany are the three largest import markets for Vietnamese shrimp in the EU. In the first ten months of this year, shrimp exports to England and Germany increased by 19% and 16% respectively, while exports to the Netherlands fell by 1.4%.
The US
The US is the second largest shrimp import market of Vietnam, accounting for 18.2% of Vietnam's total shrimp export value. After the continuous fall from April to July this year, shrimp exports to this market has recovered positive growth in August, September and October. Vietnam shrimp exports to the US in the first 10 months of this year reached US$540.4 million, down by 2.7% compared to the same period in 2017.
The end result of the anti-dumping tax on Vietnamese shrimp during the 12th administrative review period - POR12 (February 1, 2016 - January 31, 2017) is much more positive than previous reviews. This has helped Vietnamese shrimp enterprises feel secure in boosting sales to the US market in the upcoming time, especially the period of good purchasing focus from US importers for the year-end holidays.
In addition, the US-China trade war is also an opportunity for Vietnamese shrimp exporting enterprises to boost export to this market because of high tariffs imposed by China on Chinese goods.
Shrimp prices have started to recover, demand tends to increase at the end of the year, furthermore, exports to the US market has positive signs thanks to the lower shrimp anti dumping duty.
(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.
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