The EU is currently Vietnam's fourth largest shrimp import market, accounting for 13% of Vietnam's total shrimp export value. In this market, Vietnamese shrimp faces fierce competition from heavyweights from Asia such as India and Thailand, and from Latin America like Ecuador and Brazil. This demonstrates that Vietnamese shrimp is increasingly affirming its quality and meeting the high standards of the EU market.
In the first nine months of this year, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the EU reached over $360 million, a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. In the first nine months of 2024, shrimp exports to the EU only declined in February and March, while exports in the remaining months recorded double-digit growth.
The average export price of Vietnamese shrimp to the EU, especially the price of whiteleg shrimp, has also recorded continuous growth since June this year. This indicates that the EU market still has a high demand for Vietnamese shrimp, especially whiteleg shrimp.
With strict standards for quality and food safety, the EU market has become a crucial benchmark for the competitiveness of Vietnam's shrimp industry. From minimizing environmental impacts during farming to ensuring clear traceability and animal welfare, each exported shrimp must meet the highest standards.
In the first nine months of this year, among Vietnam's seafood export products, shrimp brought in the highest export turnover of $2.8 billion, up 11% compared to the same period in 2023. Shrimp exports to major markets (US, EU, China, etc.) all recorded positive growth.
In the first nine months of this year, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US reached $566 million, a 9% increase compared to the same period last year. In the US, the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates in its September meeting and is expected to cut rates two more times in November and December, which will help boost consumption due to lower borrowing costs, especially as the number of jobs is increasing. This is beneficial for exporting goods to this market.
According to data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in the US market, in August 2024, Vietnamese shrimp exports were more positive than other competitors such as India and Ecuador when shrimp exports from these sources to the US all decreased.
The average import price of shrimp from Vietnam to the US increased from $4.59/pound in July 2024 to $4.95/pound in August 2024.
Vietnam's shrimp exports to China and Hong Kong increased by 77% in September. In the first nine months, shrimp exports to this market increased by 29% to $585 million. China is introducing many solutions to increase consumer spending, which supports shrimp imports into this market. In 2024, frozen shrimp exports are still affected by the trend of prices not recovering significantly, along with the pressure of competitive selling prices with Ecuadorian and Indian shrimp. However, processed shrimp from Vietnam still has a good position in the markets. Therefore, as of the end of September, exports of processed whiteleg shrimp still increased by nearly 10%, while exports of frozen whiteleg shrimp increased slightly at 4.5%.
The price of Vietnamese raw shrimp has been more positive since July this year. The prices of raw whiteleg shrimp of sizes 50, 80, and 100 pcs/kg have increased continuously from July to September. The average export price of Vietnamese shrimp to the US and EU has also increased since June. Export prices to China and Japan have also recorded a slight increase.
It is expected that the price of raw shrimp will continue to be positive in the fourth quarter, although there may be a local shortage of raw materials as this is the period when China will increase purchases for the Lunar New Year and New Year holidays, and businesses need raw materials to boost production for year-end orders.
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The EU remains a critical market for Vietnamese shrimp; however, purchasing demand and import patterns are undergoing notable changes. According to Vietnam Customs data, as of September 15, 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU reached nearly $374 million, down 5% year-over-year and accounting for 10.7% of the country’s total shrimp export value. Meanwhile, the EU’s stotal shrimp imports through July 2026 contracted by 7% in volume, exhibiting divergent trends across Southern Europe, Northwestern Europe and Eastern Europe. These dynamics necessitate that Vietnamese enterprises closely monitor individualized market demand, rather than approaching the EU as a monolithic consumer block.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of surimi and fish cakes remained relatively stable year-over-year compared to 2025. Following a contraction in the initial months, export performance demonstrated improvement from June onward, peaking in August. However, the recovery has been uneven, characterized by divergent trends across major markets: robust growth was recorded in China, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, and Taiwan, whereas export volumes to South Korea, Indonesia, and select European markets contracted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains one of Dong Thap’s key aquaculture species, with the province focusing on developing an integrated value chain covering seed production, commercial farming, deep processing and by-product utilization. The province is promoting high-tech, circular pangasius farming models featuring reduced water exchange and enhanced biosecurity, aiming to improve production efficiency and strengthen control over raw material quality.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(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.
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