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) 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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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