Except for January, the export value decreased, in the remaining months since the beginning of the year until now, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the UK have achieved positive growth. In June this year, shrimp exports to the UK achieved the highest growth rate of 54% compared to June in 2019.
In 2019, when still in the EU, the UK was the largest shrimp importer of Vietnam in the EU, accounting for 29% of the total value of Vietnamese shrimp exports to the EU and accounting for 6% of the total shrimp export value of Vietnam. After the Brexit event, from February 2020 onwards, the UK became the single market and ranked the 6th in Vietnamese shrimp imports, accounting for 6.5% of the total shrimp export value of Vietnam.
In the past 5 years, the UK was a remarkable market for many Vietnamese enterprises. From 2015 to 2019, the UK was always in the 1st and 2nd position in terms of Vietnamese shrimp imports in the EU. In the period from 2014 to 2019, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the UK grew continuously, from nearly US$ 130 million in 2015 to US$ 202.5 million in 2019, up 56%.
The UK mainly imports from Vietnam shrimp products such as frozen PD fresh whiteleg shrimp, frozen fresh whiteleg shrimp, frozen fresh whiteleg shrimp skewers, frozen PDTO whiteleg shrimp, frozen fresh whiteleg shrimp head on (HLSO), frozen fresh whiteleg shrimp (nobashi), frozen boiled whiteleg shrimp, PTO boiled whiteleg shrimp with soy sauce, frozen fried breaded whiteleg shrimp, frozen boiled whiteleg shrimp…
The UK tends to boost imports of warm-water shrimp from Vietnam, India ... to substitute cold-water shrimp (imported from Greenland and Eastern Canada) since reducing exploitation quota and increasing the price.
In the UK retail segment, warm-water shrimp is the most popular, accounting for 61% of total shrimp sales (34% of which is sold in the frozen sector). Cold-water shrimp accounts for 37% (of which 39% is sold in the frozen sector).
Shrimp of all kinds in the UK is sold through the fast-service restaurant channel (accounting for 45% of total sales); 26% is sold in service restaurants; 13% is sold in pubs, 11% is served in tourism and entertainment services and 5% is served for offices and universities.
The UK increasingly prefer marinated shrimp (steamed or frozen), sushi shrimp. Busy people often like steamed shrimp, peeled, processed in the form of added value.
Over the years, Vietnam has remained the largest shrimp supplier to the UK, accounting for 24% of the UK's total shrimp imports, followed by India and Thailand.
Vietnam shrimp exports to the UK from now until the end of the year still enjoy the same tax incentives as exporting to other markets in the EU. Processed shrimp products originating from Vietnam in the UK market are having a higher advantage in selling price and quality than those of India and Bangladesh.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Lithuania surpassed $14 million, up 8% year on year. While the increase remains modest, it is notable given the continued pressure on Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU as a whole. More importantly, export turnover to Lithuania has shown a clearer recovery in recent months, making the market a destination worth monitoring for Vietnamese businesses in Europe.
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