According to the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), at the Workshop on "Effective Shrimp Farming Solutions" held on October 31, domestic shrimp production faced several challenges this year. The Central region experienced heatwaves, the Central Highlands dealt with drought, the South suffered from saline intrusion, and storms and floods in the Northern provinces caused significant damage to aquaculture. Shrimp exports are also hampered by the global economic crisis, high inflation in major import markets, complicated shrimp diseases, and rising production costs. Furthermore, there is increasing competition from countries like Ecuador and India.
Mr. Chau Cong Bang, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ca Mau province, reported that in the first ten months of this year, farmed shrimp production in the province reached 200,000 tons, or 82.3% of the target, reflecting a 2% increase compared to the same period last year. The export turnover of aquatic products reached $968 million, equating to 87% of the plan and marking a 12% rise year-on-year. While these results are relatively positive, the low shrimp prices have significantly reduced profits for businesses and farmers, presenting a major challenge for the industry. This situation necessitates efforts to reduce production costs to enhance competitiveness in the global market.
In Bac Lieu province, the rapid development of super-intensive shrimp farming has occurred alongside limited implementation of wastewater and waste treatment solutions. Current wastewater treatment processes and technologies are insufficiently developed to ensure environmental protection and sustainable shrimp farming. Additionally, a lack of capital hampers investment in modern treatment technologies.
Anticipated Breakthrough in Final Months
Forecasts indicate that global shrimp production will rise again by the end of 2024 and remain stable in 2025. Vietnamese shrimp may benefit if the U.S. imposes higher anti-dumping and subsidy tariffs on Ecuador, India, and Indonesia by the end of December 2024. This scenario presents a significant opportunity for the shrimp industry to achieve its $4 billion export target in the last months of the year.
To meet these goals, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Kien Giang is collaborating with localities to establish models of community management for concentrated farming areas that apply sustainable aquaculture standards, including GlobalGAP, VietGAP, and good aquaculture practices (BAP). They are also promoting the issuance of farm codes for product traceability and implementing criteria for building new rural areas. Additionally, they are focusing on preventing and controlling aquatic animal diseases and monitoring water quality in the province.
In Ca Mau province, authorities are guiding shrimp farmers to transition from traditional farming methods to biosafety-oriented models that reduce production costs. By innovating farming processes and minimizing risks during cultivation, costs can be saved, ultimately reducing product prices. To ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the brackish water shrimp farming industry, Ca Mau province is also investing in upgrading shrimp farming infrastructure, thus lowering logistics costs and automating feeding, water pumping, and drainage processes to replace manual labor.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Lithuania surpassed $14 million, up 8% year on year. While the increase remains modest, it is notable given the continued pressure on Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU as a whole. More importantly, export turnover to Lithuania has shown a clearer recovery in recent months, making the market a destination worth monitoring for Vietnamese businesses in Europe.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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