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
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
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(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
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