Imported shrimp to Japan went down due to high inventories volume from the beginning of the year and fluctuations in the Yen. In addition, suppliers such as China and Argentina reduced shrimp exports to Japan due to declining domestic shrimp supplies.
Vietnam was still the largest shrimp supplier to Japan, accounting for 25.6% of the total value of shrimp imports to this country. Thailand ranked second at 18%, followed by Indonesia at 14.9% and India at 14%. The average price of imported shrimp from Vietnam was the highest (US$11.3/kg) in the top of the main suppliers. Therefore, Vietnam must compete on price with other suppliers in this market (Indonesia: US$11/ kg, Thailand: US$11/ kg, India: US$9.2 / kg, Argentina US$9.6/ kg, China US$8 / kg ...)
According to Vietnam Customs, Vietnam shrimp exports to Japan in 2018 reached 639.4 million, down 9.2% compared to the same period in 2017. Japan is currently the second largest shrimp import market of Vietnam, accounting for 18% of total export value of Vietnamese shrimp to international markets.
In 2018, the export of Vietnamese shrimp to Japan only climbed in January and November, the remaining months has negative growth compared to the same period in 2017. The value of shrimp export to Japan decreased partly due to the fluctuation of the Yen and the fierce competition of rival suppliers such as India and Thailand. India had difficulties in exporting to Europe, therefore they increased export to Japan.
Frozen Nobashi white leg shrimp (headless, peeled, tail-on and straightened) with sizes of 26/30, 31/35, 41/50 were priced from US$10.2 to US$11.2/ kg. Fresh white leg shrimp (headless, peeled, tail-on, straightened) with sizes of 2L, 4L, 5L, 7L were priced from US$9.5 to US$11.2/ kg.
Over the years, Vietnam has maintained its No. 1 position in supplying shrimp to Japan thanks to the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (AJCEP) which took effect in December 1, 2008 as well as the Vietnam - Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA) which came into effect from October 1, 2009.These agreements facilitated the exporting of Vietnamese seafood to Japan thanks to declining tariffs. Specifically, soon after the AJCEP Agreement came into force in 2009, shrimp products have enjoyed a 0% tax rate.
Since January 14, 2019, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has officially come into effect in Viet Nam. Accordingly, Vietnamese shrimp exports to Japan will benefit from this Agreement.
Ready-to-eat shrimp products will grow well in the coming times. The reason being that Japan's ready-to-eat food industry increased due to the increase in the population of single people and a fall in home cooking. In order to promote shrimp export to Japan, enterprises should innovate market access methods along with promoting their brands more strongly, ensuring product quality. It is forecast that Vietnam shrimp exports to Japan in 2019 will achieve 2-digit growth compared to 2018.
(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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