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.
(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
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