(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp exports for the first 11 months of 2024 brought in nearly 3.6 billion USD, up 22% compared to the same period last year. Exports to major consumption markets all recorded double-digit growth.
Shrimp exports are showing positive signs in many markets. Exports to the US and EU have shown stable growth. China is implementing policies to boost consumption, which could help increase shrimp import demand from Vietnam.
In November 2024, exports to China&Hong Kong and the EU continued to maintain a double-digit growth rate, while exports to Japan, the US, and South Korea showed single-digit growth.
In November 2024, shrimp exports to the US reached over 55 million USD, up 9% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports to this market reached 702 million USD, an increase of 10%. Wholesale shrimp prices in the US saw a wide increase in the second week of December. The price increase may be due to concerns over shipping and overall higher costs across the entire supply chain. Shopping and consumption demand during the holiday season in the US is expected to grow positively.
As of November 2024, shrimp exports to China&Hong Kong showed good growth of 34%, reaching 761 million USD. The demand for shrimp consumption during the Lunar New Year has increased imports in this market, making it the largest shrimp import market in the first 11 months of this year, surpassing the US.
Export shrimp prices are showing signs of rising, especially for white-legged shrimp, helping to improve profit margins for businesses.
Shrimp raw material prices are also at a positive level, which will support production and exports.
Moreover, processed shrimp products are experiencing strong growth, which is a positive signal, showing that businesses are shifting towards value-added products.
However, Vietnam's shrimp industry still faces internal challenges that need to be overcome to achieve sustainable growth.
Specifically, Vietnamese shrimp need to improve quality and reduce costs to compete in the international market. This includes enhancing issues related to seed quality control, farming seasons, stocking density, disease management, reducing production costs, and forecasting consumption trends in importing markets to help drive the shrimp export value chain and increase income for shrimp farmers.
In addition, there needs to be a shift in mindset. Rather than focusing on production volume and high technology, emphasis should be placed on sustainability and efficiency, particularly regarding quality, environment, health, and selling prices.
Furthermore, farmers need to keep up with trends in shifting farming species; trends in high-tech, environmentally friendly shrimp farming that adapts to climate change and sustainability; and the development and application of biotechnology. Especially, the link in production chains with international standards to meet market demand is crucial.