Vietnam shrimp industry report 2021–2025: Overview and outlook to 2030
The period 2021–2025 has been a time of significant volatility for Vietnam’s shrimp industry as well as the global shrimp market. After strong growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, the global shrimp market entered a period of adjustment from 2023, driven by global inflation, high inventories in major importing markets, and a sharp increase in supply from major producing countries such as Ecuador and India. These factors created considerable challenges for Vietnam’s shrimp industry in maintaining export growth.
However, the Vietnamese shrimp sector has demonstrated a notable ability to adapt to market fluctuations. After a sharp decline in 2023, shrimp exports gradually recovered in the following years and reached a record value of USD 4.6 billion in 2025, reaffirming the shrimp sector’s role as the pillar of Vietnam’s seafood exports.
In terms of product structure, whiteleg shrimp continued to be the dominant product, accounting for the largest share of total export value. In addition, products in the other shrimp category, particularly lobster, have recorded strong growth in recent years thanks to rising demand from China and several Asian markets.
Regarding markets, the United States, Japan, the EU, China, and South Korea remain the most important importers of Vietnamese shrimp. Among them, China has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets in recent years due to strong demand for large-sized shrimp and lobster. Meanwhile, traditional markets such as Japan and South Korea continue to maintain stable consumption of processed shrimp products.
In an increasingly competitive global shrimp market, Vietnam faces several challenges, including high production costs, increasingly stringent requirements on environmental standards and sustainable development, and growing competition from lower-cost shrimp-producing countries.
To provide businesses and policymakers with a comprehensive view of the development of Vietnam’s shrimp industry, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has compiled the Vietnam Shrimp Industry Report 2021–2025 with an outlook to 2030.
The report focuses on the following key topics:
Through a comprehensive system of statistical data and market analysis, the report aims to provide businesses, policymakers, and research institutions with valuable reference information for strategic planning in production, business, and market development in the coming years.
VASEP cordially invites businesses and interested readers to register for the Vietnam Shrimp Industry Report 2021–2025 with an outlook to 2030.
Contact: Ms. Hai Yen Phone: +84 8 5858 2626 Email: nguyenyen@vasep.com.vn
Or register via the following link: https://vasep.com.vn/ban-tin-bao-cao/bao-cao-san-pham-thuy-san/bao-cao-nganh-hang-tom-2021-2025-du-bao-den-nam-2030-26614.html
(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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn