In terms of product structure, whiteleg shrimp remained the largest contributor with USD 573 million, accounting for 53.6% of total exports and rising 6.3%. Black tiger shrimp reached USD 80.7 million, up 10.8%. The most notable growth came from the “other shrimp” category, which totaled nearly USD 415 million, up 39.3%. Of this, lobster alone reached USD 345.5 million, surging 57.4% and becoming the key growth driver in the quarter. This indicates that while whiteleg shrimp remains the foundation of the industry, short-term growth is clearly driven by lobster and other high-value shrimp products.
By market, China and Hong Kong continued to lead growth, with exports reaching USD 440.1 million, up 57.2%, accounting for over 41% of Vietnam’s total shrimp exports. This market alone imported USD 341.6 million worth of Vietnamese lobster, up 58.4%, equivalent to 77.6% of total shrimp exports to China and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, exports to the EU reached USD 120.4 million, up 16.7%; CPTPP markets totaled USD 270.2 million, up 5%; Taiwan rose 59.2%; and ASEAN increased 38.6%, providing additional support for overall growth. In contrast, exports to the U.S. dropped sharply by 28.8% to USD 95.8 million; South Korea declined 1.4%; and markets such as Russia and Switzerland also continued to fall. Overall, Q1 data shows that growth is heavily dependent on China and a few alternative markets, while traditional markets remain slow to recover.
In the U.S., anti-dumping duties continue to be a major barrier for Vietnamese shrimp. Ongoing reviews of countervailing duties and risks of reciprocal tariffs have also made importers more cautious.
Another significant pressure comes from production and logistics costs. In Q1/2026, domestic shrimp prices generally declined toward the end of the quarter, while costs for feed, inputs, and transportation remained high. The conflict in Iran and tensions in the Middle East have continued to push up global energy and logistics costs, eroding profit margins and competitiveness for exporters.
Outlook for Q2/2026
In Q2/2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports are likely to continue showing strong divergence. China and Hong Kong will remain the main growth drivers, especially for lobster and live/fresh shrimp, although growth may slow after the early-year peak season. The EU may continue to grow but is unlikely to maintain the same pace as in Q1, as buyers become more cautious and price competition from Ecuador and India intensifies. Japan and South Korea are expected to remain stable, with opportunities concentrated in processed and convenience products. The U.S. market may see some improvement toward the end of the quarter if uncertainty around tariff reviews eases, but overall it will still face pressure from tariffs, price competition, and logistics costs.
For the full year 2026, if no major policy shocks occur and domestic raw material supply is not severely disrupted by disease or high input costs, Vietnam’s shrimp exports could still achieve positive growth. However, growth is likely to remain uneven across quarters and markets. The industry will need to rely on two pillars: leveraging demand from China and high-value segments such as lobster, while strengthening the competitiveness of whiteleg and black tiger shrimp in key markets like the U.S., EU, Japan, and South Korea. As Ecuador continues to maintain a cost advantage and India remains a strong competitor in scale, Vietnam’s sustainable advantage will lie in deep processing, consistent quality, flexible supply capabilities, and increasingly strong compliance standards.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the EU reached approximately $148 million, up 12% compared to the same period in 2025. In September 2026 alone, export turnover to this market hit $18 million, a 27% year-on-year increase. Despite diverging demand across member states, the EU remains a market with growth potential for Vietnamese pangasius, particularly as supplies of several traditional whitefish species face mounting pressure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the US are showing a clear recovery after a difficult start to the year. However, the rebound is taking place against a backdrop of declining US tuna imports and a shifting supply structure, posing new challenges for Vietnamese businesses.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Japan reached US$440.9 million, up 6.4% year on year. This result is noteworthy as Japan’s total shrimp imports continued to decline slightly and competition among suppliers intensified. Demand for convenience foods and processed products continues to create opportunities for Vietnamese exporters, but capitalizing on these opportunities requires stronger competitiveness and the ability to meet increasingly specific market requirements.
(vasep.com.vn) After slowing in the first months of the year, Vietnam’s tuna exports have shown a clear improvement since June 2026. However, behind September’s double-digit growth lies a notable reality: export value is recovering, but pressures from markets, trade policies, and competition among suppliers remain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached US$1.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. In September alone, exports totaled US$210 million, an increase of 16%. China, the United States, and Brazil were the three largest markets, accounting for 49% of total export value. While China and Brazil maintained their growth momentum, exports to the US remained below the level recorded in the same period last year.
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
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