The recovery in shrimp sales in 2016 was thanks to upward trend in global shrimp price, higher demand from importing markets and rise in the output of shrimp, especially black tiger shrimp in the world as well as more stability in currencies in the world. Besides, stability in the domestic price of raw shrimp and rise in export price of shrimp facilitated shrimp exports.
Shrimp farming of Vietnam in 2016 faced some obstacles such as unfavourable weather, salinity, lack of raw material and diseases. Vietnamese exporters encountered pressures from markets such as higher anti-dumping duty on shrimp exported to the U.S.; technical barriers from the markets of EU, Japan, Australia…However, thanks to large investments, technological innovation, big efforts of enterprises; shrimp production and exports of Vietnam reported the recovery in 2016.
In 2016, among Vietnam’ total shrimp products for exports, whiteleg shrimp still dominated with the proportion of 62.1%; black tiger ranked the second with 29.5% and 8.3% for marine shrimp.
Despite the decrease in black tiger shrimp yield in 2016, Vietnam remained the plans to boost the output and raise its export volume of the species amid higher demand from markets and reduction in global output. Vietnam has the advantage of being the largest producer of black tiger shrimp in the world. While the production of black tiger shrimp in main producers (India, Indonesia, South America…) was on the downward trend.
In 2016, out of total shrimp exports, live/fresh/frozen whiteleg shrimp (HS code 03) brought to the highest export value of more than US$1 billion.
In the year, sales of whiteleg shrimp products increased by 12.4% to reach nearly US$2 billion; Exports of black tiger shrimp products brought nearly US$931 million, down 3.4%. The decline in black tiger shrimp exports may be due to shortage of raw black tiger supply.
In 2016, Vietnam shrimp were exported to 93 markets; decreasing compared to 95 ones in 2015.
Top 10 main importing markets included the U.S., EU, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, Canada, ASEAN, Taiwan and Switzerland; accounting for 95.4% of the country's total shrimp exports.
In 2016, among top 10 largest importing markets, shrimp exports to 8 markets reported the increase but exports to Canada and Taiwan downed 11.6% and 20.8%, respectively. Canada and Taiwan accounted for the proportion of 3.9% and 1.6%, respectively.
Top 5 largest markets included the U.S. (making up the share of 22.5%), the EU with the share of 19.1%, Japan (19%), China (13.8%), South Korea (9%). Exports to these 5 markets rose positively. Of which exports to China showed the largest increase of 24.3%; sales to the U.S, the EU, Japan and South Korea rose 7.9%; 9.4%; 2.7% and 13.6%, respectively.
The U.S. remains to be the largest market of Vietnamese shrimp, making up 22.5% of total shrimp exports in 2016. Vietnam shrimp exports to the U.S. in 2016 reached US$708.8 million; an increase of 7.9% compared to 2015. It was followed by the EU with sales of US$600.4 million, up 9.4%
Japan was the 3rd largest market of Vietnam shrimp after the U.S. and the EU with the proportion of 19% of total shrimp exports from Vietnam.
Despite the decrease in the first two quarters of 2016, Vietnam shrimp sales to Japan in 2016 increased by 2.7% to touch US$599.8 million.
In QI/2017, Vietnam shrimp exports forecast to touch US$619 million, equal to the same period of 2016.
In 2017, Vietnam shrimp sales to the EU may encounter some challenges, however, Vietnam exporters will boost exports to Japan, South Korea, China and the U.S.
By Kim Thu
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
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