Demand from key importing markets (EU, China, Japan, South Korea ...) increased for year-end festivals. Some competing countries have difficulties in production and exporting markets. For example, Thailand stopped imports of Indian shrimp which affect not only India but Thailand. Since October 2016, India is subject to a 50% inspection of shrimp exports to the EU and the country is at risk of the EU ban on imports. Thai and Indian shrimp production is forecasted not to increase this year due to disease and adverse weather. This is considered as the factors which facilitated Vietnam’s shrimp exports this year.
Through November 2017, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to major markets have grown well except the U.S. The EU market has risen to rank the 1st while the U.S has fallen to the 4th rank. Among the main importing markets, shipments to China showed the highest growth of 60.2%.
Exports of whiteleg shrimp occupied the largest proportion of 65.4%; those of black tiger shrimp accounted for 23%, the rest was marine shrimp with 11.6%. Exports of whiteleg shrimp and marine shrimp increased while those of black tiger shrimp slightly decreased compared to the same period last year. Of that, shipments of live/fresh/frozen marine shrimp (HS code 03) showed the highest growth.
The EU
As of November 2017, the EU has raised to the 1st rank in top shrimp importers of Vietnam. Exports to this market valued at over US$780 million, up 42.4% year on year. The Netherlands was the largest importer of Vietnam shrimp in the EU. Out of the three main buyers of Vietnam shrimp in the bloc (the Netherlands, the UK and Germany), sales to the Netherlands posted the highest growth of 70.5% (US$199.7 million), followed by the UK and Germany with the rises of 54.5% and 5.9%, respectively.
Due to the high price of coldwater shrimp and a reduction in supplies, high demand for festivals at the end of the year boosted imports of Vietnam shrimp into the EU.
In 2017, Vietnam shrimp had advantage of exports to the EU. In the year, Vietnam shrimp exports to the EU are accorded GSP (generalized system of preferences) rights while Thailand and China do not have this advantage.
When the upcoming EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) comes into effect, shrimp products HS code 03061100 exporting to the EU will be subject to the tax of 0% from the current tax of 12.5%, the tax for shrimp HS code 03061710 will be 0% from the current level of 20%; that for shrimp HS code 16052110 will be also 0% from the current tax of 20% after 7 years from the date of entry into force of the Agreement; and that shrimp HS code 16052190 will be 0% from the level of 20% after 7 years from the date of entry into force of the Agreement.
The U.S
In the first 11 months of 2017, exports to the U.S reached US$609.9 million; down 7.8% over the same period in 2016. Exports to the market declined due to the higher anti-dumping tax in POR11 and the dollar depreciation from the impact of President Trump's general aim of encouraging domestic production.
China
Exports to China witnessed the highest growth among the main importing markets of Vietnam shrimp with 60.2% and eyed US$637.9 million. With this growth, China expected to overtake Japan as the second largest buyer of Vietnam shrimp in the first quarter of 2018.
Besides, favorable geographical position, good payment and stable Yuan has stimulated the demand of Chinese importers. From 1st Dec 2017, Vietnamese shrimp exporters to China had more advantages when China decided to reduce the import tax from 5% to 2% for frozen shrimp products.
Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the last month of 2017 forecasted to see the stable growth. The total shrimp export value in 2017 estimated at US$3.8 billion, an increase of 22% compared to 2016.
(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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