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
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
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Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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