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) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
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
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