In May 2015, the UK surpassed Germany to become Vietnam's largest shrimp importing market in the EU. In August 2015, the UK accounted for 4.7% of the Vietnam’s total shrimp exports while the proportion to Germany was 3.1%. Through August, the proportion to the UK made up 4% while Germany took 3.9%.
The UK was the only market in the EU to report the positive growth of 24.4% in Jan-Aug 2015.
Statistics of Vietnam Customs showed that in August 2015, Vietnam shrimp exports to the UK worth US$12.7 million, up 7% from the previous month but down 15.4% from the same period of 2014. In Jan-Aug 2015, shrimp sales to the market hit US$72.4 million, up 24.4% year on year, which is the highest growth among Vietnam's top 8 shrimp importing markets. Vietnam shrimp exports to the UK has been increasing since February.
Shrimp imports into the UK have been growing in the past 5 years, except for the drop of 11% in 2012. According to International Trade Center (ITC), in Jan-Jul 2015, shrimp imports into the UK touched US$ 481.5 million, down 1.6% year on year due to price rises led by economic crisis and the depreciation of EUR against USD.
Between January and July 2015, Vietnam was the third largest supplier of shrimp to the UK, just behind Canada and India, representing nearly 11% out of total shrimp imports into the UK.
Among top 10 largest shrimp suppliers to the UK, shrimp imports from Vietnam experienced the highest year-on-year surge of 48.4%, followed by Canada, the largest source to the UK which was 47.4%.
Meanwhile, shrimp imports from India, Thailand, Indonesia dropped by 20%, 38% and 7%, respectively. Shrimp imports from India fell due to lower production and higher price. Imports from Thailand went downward as shrimp export duty to EU got higher. EU's generalized scheme of preferences (GSP) came to an end in 2014 and tax on processed shrimp from Thailand increased to 20%. From January 2015, tax on raw shrimp increased to 12% from the previous 4%.
The market share of warmwater in the UK is increasingly high. The product is often consumed for making sandwiches and salad.
100/200 count farmed vannamei is the safest substitute coldwater shrimp. In mid-June 2015, demand for small-sized warmwater shrimp rose as prices for coldwater shrimp were high at GBP 8/ kg.
With the advantage in producing value added products, Vietnam shrimp exporters have opportunities for raising its market share in the UK because the market is in high demand for ready-to-eat shrimp, cooked shrimp and finger food.
Shrimp exports to EU in general and the UK in particular in the last months of the year are expected to rise, but the reusults can be quite modest.
|
Top 10 shrimp suppliers to the UK (Value: US$ thousand, Source: ITC) |
|||
|
Supply |
Jan-Jul 2014 |
Jan-Jul 2015 |
Variations (%) |
|
The world |
489,507 |
481,520 |
-1.6 |
|
Canada |
63,370 |
93,418 |
47.4 |
|
India |
75,519 |
60,453 |
-19.9 |
|
Vietnam |
35,110 |
52,116 |
48.4 |
|
Bangladesh |
60,580 |
50,077 |
-17.3 |
|
Thailand |
63,447 |
39,293 |
-38.1 |
|
Indonesia |
36,710 |
34,161 |
-6.9 |
|
Denmark |
34,545 |
29,494 |
-14.6 |
|
Iceland |
28,042 |
20,361 |
-27.4 |
|
Honduras |
13,967 |
18,173 |
30.1 |
|
China |
13,576 |
14,339 |
5.6 |
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
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