Shrimp imports into the EU in 2016 inched up 2% compared to 2015 in value, but in the first 5 months of 2017, the figure downed 18.4% over the same period in 2016. This was driven by a dip in shrimp production from suppliers and a rise in prices, which made the demand for this product decrease.
In 2016, Spain was the single largest importer of shrimp in the EU, accounting for 17.7% of total shrimp imports into the EU. France and the UK respectively ranked the 2nd and the 3rd biggest ones, accounting for 13.6% and 12.9%; the Netherlands ranked the 4th with 9.3%.
In the first 5 months of 2017, shrimp imports into the EU reached over US$2 billion; down 18.4% over the same period in 2016. Out of top 4 leading buyers of shrimp into the EU, the import value of shrimp into Spain reached US$369.2 million; increased by 7.3%; those into France hit US$338.6 million; decreased by 1.4%; those into the UK touched nearly US$230 million; down 8.2% over the same period in 2016.
According to the data from Vietnam customs, in the first 8 months of 2017, the EU became the largest importer of Vietnam shrimp. Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU in the period amounted to US$483.6 million; increased by 30% over the same period of 2016.
As of August this year, shrimp shipments to top 3 biggest importing markets of Vietnam (the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium) in the EU reported the 2-digit growth of 46.5%; 47.8% and 34.1%, respectively. Vietnam’s shrimp sales to the EU currently recorded the good growth as the EU consumers prefer value-added seafood products and increase imports for year-end festivities.
On the EU market, Vietnam shrimp has to compete with the same item form India and Ecuador. While India tends to reduce shrimps exports to the EU, Ecuador and Vietnam are increasingly promoting shipment of shrimp to the market.
In the coming time, when Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) takes effect (in 2018), Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU expected to continue positive growth thanks the preferential tax rate.
|
Shrimp imports into the EU, Jan-May 2017 (Thousand US$) |
|||
|
Markets |
T1-T5/2016 |
T1-T5/2017 |
Variation (%) |
|
EU 28 |
2,473,589 |
2,017,641 |
-18.4 |
|
Spain |
344,183 |
369,214 |
7.3 |
|
France |
343,467 |
338,551 |
-1.4 |
|
UK |
326,861 |
299,978 |
-8.2 |
|
Portugal |
67,221 |
69,617 |
3.6 |
|
Ireland |
13,621 |
13,590 |
-0.2 |
|
Greek |
25,309 |
24,849 |
-1.8 |
|
Estonia |
5,207 |
5,679 |
9.1 |
|
Czech Republic |
5,462 |
4,671 |
-14.5 |
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
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