(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU maintained positive growth momentum in 2025, several new regulations related to animal welfare are transitioning from “ethical recommendations” to mandatory requirements, likely reshaping the shrimp supply chain for this market from 2026 onwards.
EU Shrimp Imports Maintain Growth in 2025
According to data from Shrimp Insight, during the first ten months of 2025, the EU imported approximately 374,500 tonnes of frozen whiteleg shrimp (HS03061792) and value-added processed shrimp (HS160521, 160529), up 18% year-on-year; import value surged by 21% to €2.35 billion. This growth reflects relatively resilient consumer demand, particularly in Southern Europe and North-Western Europe, which collectively account for over 95% of the bloc’s total shrimp imports.
Within this landscape, Ecuador continued to solidify its position as the leading supplier, exporting over 203,700 tonnes, up a sharp 37%, far outpacing other sources. India saw robust growth, rising to approximately 51,500 tonnes (up 33%), while Vietnam ranked third with nearly 46,000 tonnes (up 12%).
Although the market share gap between Vietnam and India remains relatively narrow, the distance from Ecuador’s dominant position continues to expand.
Animal welfare emerging as a mandatory technical requirement
Against this backdrop, new animal welfare standards are emerging as a critical non-tariff barrier. From 2026, many major retail chains in the EU and the UK will require warm-water shrimp to be fully stunned - typically using electrical methods - prior to ice-slurry chilling, replacing traditional thermal shock methods. Retailers such as Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose have already incorporated this into their sourcing policies, directly linking compliance to supplier eligibility.
Unlike conventional non-tariff barriers, this requirement cannot be addressed through documentation or certification. Exporters are compelled to reinvest in harvesting and primary processing technologies, redesign operational workflows and tighten controls over live shrimp logistics. The capital expenditure required for electrical stunning lines is substantial, posing a challenge as profit margins across the shrimp sector continue to tighten.
Intensifying competition in the EU market
From a competitive perspective, animal welfare standards may indirectly favor countries accustomed to large-scale, low-cost production models with high certification rates. Ecuador, which holds a commanding market share in the EU, possesses a significantly higher proportion of ASC-certified shrimp compared to Vietnam and benefits from vertically integrated production chains that facilitate the adoption of new technologies. India, leveraging its scale and cost advantages, is also rapidly expanding its presence as other markets, notably the U.S, become increasingly unpredictable.
Meanwhile, according to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU reached over $562 million by December 15, 2025, up 22% year-on-year, underscoring the EU’s continued importance and remaining growth potential. However, failing to adapt to these emerging standards risks rendering current growth short-lived.
Adapting to new standards to sustain position in the EU
Animal welfare is no longer matter of corporate image or pure social responsibility; it is becoming a prerequisite for market participation in the EU. For Vietnam’s shrimp industry, the challenge lies not only in investment costs but also in ensuring the transition does not widen the gap between large enterprises and SMEs, which constitute a significant share of exports.
The early development of technical guidelines, domestic standards and financial mechanisms to support technological innovation will be critical in preventing the industry from being caught off guard by this wave of higher requirements. As competition intensifies, the ability to meet price, quality and production standards simultaneously will determine whether Vietnamese shrimp can strengthen its position in the EU market in the years ahead.