Vietnam's shrimp exports grew in the first half of this year, but the market is facing competition from other countries in the world.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in the first six months of this year, the shrimp export value reached about 1.6 billion USD, up 6% year on year. In June alone, this value reached 344 million USD, an increase of 5% on year. During the first half, mainland China and Hong Kong, the largest export market of Vietnamese shrimp, showed a recovery in shrimp exports in June, after decreasing in May. In the first half of the year, the shrimp exports to this market reached 328 million USD, 17% higher than the same period last year. By the end of the year, Vietnam's shrimp exports to this market will be under pressure on price, especially for black tiger shrimp and white-leg shrimp. Vietnamese shrimp competition from markets such as Ecuador, India, and Indonesia will be promoting shrimp export to China due to high tariffs imposed by the US.
The second largest market for Vietnamese shrimp was the US. In the first half of the year, shrimp exports to this market grew 1% year-on-year to 303 million USD. After decreasing in May, exports to the US recovered in June. But shipping costs have increased dramatically, up by 40% from May due to conflict in the Middle East. In the US market too, Vietnamese shrimp has strong price competition from shrimp from Ecuador, India, and Indonesia. VASEP expects that the US's demand for Vietnamese shrimp may increase slightly in the third quarter of this year when importers increase purchasing for year-end festivals. Meanwhile, Vietnam saw a slight reduction of 3% and 10% to 229 million USD in Japan and 149 million USD in the Republic of Korea, respectively. In Japan, Vietnam's value-added goods still maintain a better competitive advantage compared to other suppliers such as India and Ecuador. According to VASEP, the import demand of these two markets is expected to increase slightly from September to meet the year-end demand. For the EU market, after a slow first quarter, the shrimp exports to increased solidly in the second quarter. In the first six months, exports to the EU reached 217 million USD, an increase of 13% on year. In June, this value stood at 52 million USD, up by 31%. The EU market's demand for shrimp imports is expected to continue to increase in the second half. However, VASEP said that besides facing price competition with Ecuadorian and Indian shrimp in the US and EU, Vietnamese shrimp face an additional problem: disease outbreaks in farmed shrimp, potentially causing a shortage of raw materials for processing. Companies may be forced to reduce shrimp exports to the US although this market has a large consumption power. Meanwhile, they will focus on nearer markets such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and China. In the second half of the year, it is expected that the main import markets of Vietnamese shrimp will have better markers, such as lower inventory, easing of transportation difficulties and recovery in demand and prices. If all expectations follow a positive scenario, Vietnam could achieve a shrimp export value of 4 billion USD in 2024, VASEP said./.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded strong growth, reaching USD 15 million, up 109% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, in the first three months of 2026, export value reached USD 38 million, an increase of 174% year-on-year. This result highlights the sector’s robust expansion and reflects rapid growth across multiple markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD 182 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, exports in the first three months of 2026 totaled USD 514 million, an increase of 17% year-on-year, indicating that the growth momentum is being maintained despite signs of slowdown in some markets during March.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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