In terms of product structure, the "other shrimp" category (including lobster, mantis shrimp, etc.) dominated the share and recorded triple-digit growth, particularly for live, fresh and frozen products. This clearly reflects strong consumer demand for premium products such as live lobster. Exports of black tiger shrimp to China also saw double-digit growth, while whiteleg shrimp recorded a decline. However, processed whiteleg shrimp products experienced growth, indicating a gradual shift in consumer preferences toward convenient, ready-to-eat products.
Among enterprises exporting shrimp to China, Phat Loi Trading - Service - Production Co., Ltd. continues to lead, accounting for 19% of the total export value to China, maintaining its No.1 position since 2024.
Recovery in China's frozen warm-water shrimp imports
According to Chinese Customs data, China imported 519,000 tons of frozen warm-water shrimp in the first seven months of 2025, down 2% compared to the same period in 2024. However, the import value rose by 7% to $2.73 billion, driven by a 9% increase in the average price to $5.25/kg. In July alone, import volume surged to over 90,000 tons - the highest since early 2024 - signaling a partial recovery in demand after a sluggish period.
Ecuador continues to dominate, supplying 75% of China’s shrimp imports, equivalent to nearly 389,000 tons in the first seven months. In contrast, India saw a 7% decline, dropping to 76,000 tons, while smaller suppliers like Myanmar, Argentina and Thailand recorded robust growth.
However, the sharp increase in imports in July led to high inventory levels, coupled with weakened demand in the food service sector, causing shrimp import prices in China to continuously decline in August. This indicates a short-term risk of market saturation, particularly in the mainstream shrimp segment.
Ecuador dominates, India loses ground – Vietnam targets niche markets
In the Chinese market, Ecuador currently holds a significant advantage due to its abundant supply, competitive pricing, and products tailored to consumer preferences, particularly in the frozen head-on shrimp segment. India, the second-largest supplier, is gradually losing market share due to challenges in quality control and cost management, while also facing supply fragmentation as it serves multiple markets simultaneously.
In this context, Vietnamese shrimp has emerged as a complementary option in the premium segment. While Ecuador and India dominate in price and volume, Vietnam is favored for high-quality products such as large-sized black tiger shrimp, live lobster and value-added processed shrimp. This advantage allows Vietnamese shrimp to avoid direct competition with Ecuador in the mainstream segment and opens opportunities to tap into China’s increasingly pronounced demand for premium seafood.
Future directions for Vietnamese enterprises
In the short term, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China are expected to continue growing, especially during major holidays such as Mid-Autumn Festival, New Year and Lunar New Year, when demand for gifts and seafood consumption surges. Live lobster, large-sized black tiger shrimp and deeply processed whiteleg shrimp will remain the main drivers.
In the medium term, the growing domestic aquaculture production in China will put pressure on imports, while competition from Ecuador and India remains intense. In this context, Vietnamese enterprises need to stay committed to a strategy focused on quality, product diversification and targeting the premium segment. Additionally, strict compliance with regulations on quarantine, traceability and packaging is crucial to ensuring a sustainable presence in this market.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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