Japan still maintains the second largest shrimp importer of Vietnam in the first half of this year. Thanks to the advantages from the Trade Agreements between Vietnam and Japan, Vietnamese shrimp exports to Japan in the first 7 months of this year did not fall sharply like other major markets.
In the structure of shrimp products exported from Vietnam to Japan, whiteleg shrimp accounted for the highest rate of 58.1%, black tiger shrimp made up for 22.4% and marine shrimp accounted for 19.5%. Among white shrimp products exported to Japan, live /fresh/frozen whiteleg shrimp proportion are higher than processed whiteleg shrimp. In the first 7 months of this year, Vietnamese live/fresh/ frozen whiteleg shrimp exports to Japan fell by more than 10% while exports of processed whiteleg shrimp rose slightly by 2% over the same period in 2018.
Some Vietnamese shrimp products that are popular in Japan include Nobashi, sushi, Tempura breaded shrimp; Frozen FD whiteleg shrimp, frozen peeled whiteleg shrimp (head off, tail on)...
According to ITC, in the first half of this year, Japnanese shrimp imports reached more than US $ 1 billion, down 6.6% over the same period in 2018. Vietnam was still the largest shrimp supplier for Japan, accounting for 26% of the total value. Followed by Thailand, Indonesia and India, accounting for 19%, 17% and 10% respectively. In the first half of 2019, Japanese shrimp imports from the top 5 major suppliers all decreased compared to the same period in 2018.
Frozen raw shrimp (HS code 030617) was the highest proportion of total shrimp structure imported into Japan, accounting for over 60%. In terms of import tax applied for shrimp, Vietnam and other major suppliers for Japan (Indonesia, India, Thailand) are enjoyed to the tax rate of 0%. In terms of price, Vietnamese shrimp has the highest prices among other suppliers with over US$11/kg in the first half of this year. The price of Indonesian shrimp exported to Japan was US$11/kg, the price of Thai and India shrimp was US$9.5/kg and US$9/kg respectively.
The ASEAN-Japan Free Trade Agreement (AJCEP) came into force on December 1, 2008 and the Vietnam-Japan Bilateral Free Trade Agreement (VJEPA) came into force on October 1, 2009 has helped to create favorable conditions in terms of preferential tariff for Vietnamese seafood exports to Japan.
In addition to Vietnam - Japan and ASEAN - Japan FTAs, the CPTPP Agreement, which came into effect in January 2019, shall also help Vietnamese shrimp to boost their advantages in this market. According to Japanese commitments in CPTPP, most of Vietnamese seafood products including frozen shrimp (HS code 030617) and processed shrimp (HS 160521) are enjoyed to 0% tax rate right after the agreement took effect.
The development of Japanese ready-to-eat food business was good, so processed shrimp products with high usability will grow well in the Japanese market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2026 marks a period of strong growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, but it is also a time when international export competition is becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 99 million in 2025, up 140% compared to the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, export value reached USD 49 million, a 151% increase year-on-year. As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to rise, Vietnam is emerging as a noteworthy competitor to traditional tilapia powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Egypt.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets showed varying trends across regions and countries. The Middle East recorded strong growth, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the largest Asian market for Vietnamese tilapia. ASEAN markets also expanded significantly, driven primarily by Malaysia. Meanwhile, Japan maintained solid growth, while exports to South Korea declined compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp and pangasius continued to lead growth, helping seafood exports reach $4.67 billion in the first five months of the year; however, differentiation among product groups and increasingly stringent requirements from importing markets are posing many challenges for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
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