Growth in October was strongly supported by whiteleg shrimp products and by China, which continues to show robust demand for Vietnam’s fresh and frozen shrimp.
China and CPTPP lead the expansion
In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to most major markets increased. China & Hong Kong was the standout, reaching USD 1.1 billion, up 64% — the strongest growth among all markets. In October alone, this market recorded USD 140 million, maintaining the top position both monthly and cumulatively.
The CPTPP bloc reached over USD 1 billion in the 10-month period, up 33% year-on-year. October exports reached USD 121 million. This region provides stability thanks to steady demand in Japan, Canada, and Australia.
Exports to the US reached USD 702 million, up 9% year-on-year. October exports stood at USD 114 million, indicating sustained demand despite competition from Ecuador and India.
Exports to the EU reached USD 487 million, up 20% year-on-year. In October, this market posted USD 53 million, showing continued stable demand for processed, certified, and value-added products.
Notably, Taiwan recorded very strong growth in October, reaching USD 12 million—up nearly 80% from October 2024—highlighting expansion prospects in Asia–Pacific markets.
Whiteleg shrimp remains the core product; black tiger shrimp stable
Whiteleg shrimp continued to account for the largest share, reaching USD 2.5 billion, or nearly 65% of total 10-month export value. This product group recorded the highest growth thanks to competitive prices, large supply, and wide acceptance in major markets.
Black tiger shrimp reached USD 385 million (about 10% of total exports). Exports remained stable due to steady demand in Japan and strong demand for large-sized and eco-shrimp in China. Other shrimp products reached USD 991 million, a sharp increase year-on-year, reflecting growing production of frozen and deeply processed items that improve factory efficiency and target higher-value market segments.
Asia continues to be the key growth engine
Since the beginning of the year, Asia has been the strongest driver of Vietnam’s shrimp export growth. China–Hong Kong rose more than 60%, Taiwan surged in October, and Korea maintained mild growth. This shows improving regional demand amid gradual economic recovery, geographic advantages, and market diversification strategies in the context of US tariff pressures.
Meanwhile, the US, Japan, and the EU maintained stable growth, mainly in value-added and processed shrimp categories.
Shrimp exports are expected to slow in the last quarter, mainly due to US tariffs and other trade defense measures — a major challenge for Vietnam’s second-largest shrimp market. These pressures affect costs, competitiveness, and contract timelines.
If exporters continue to optimize value-added products, uphold quality, and diversify markets, the slowdown can be mitigated. However, the general trend suggests that Q4 growth will be slower or slightly lower than in mid-year months.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Brazil remains one of the key markets for Vietnamese pangasius in South America. However, exports to the market showed signs of slowing in the first half of 2026, while frozen pangasius fillets continued to account for the overwhelming majority of exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Marking 27 years of supporting Vietnam’s seafood industry, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (VIETFISH 2026) will officially return from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, on its largest scale ever. Under the core theme “Innovation – Sustainability,” the event promises to provide a comprehensive picture of the transformation of Vietnam’s seafood industry toward greater value addition and sustainable development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than three weeks remaining, the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme "Innovation – Sustainability," Vietfish 2026 will provide a comprehensive networking platform for seafood businesses, buyers, distributors, industry experts, government agencies, and domestic and international visitors.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the technical seminar “Green and Sustainable Technology Solutions for the Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Value Chain” will take place from 09:30 to 11:45 on August 20, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. The seminar is jointly organized by VASEP, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam, focusing on technological innovation and sustainable transformation across Vietnam’s seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Market fluctuations, rising production costs, and increasingly stringent requirements from export markets are placing growing pressure on the shrimp industry. In response, Vinh Long Province is promoting high-tech shrimp farming integrated with production–consumption value chains to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and enhance the industry's value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports to Japan posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, while a promising new trend has emerged in the value-added product segment. Notably, Vietnamese tilapia fillets have been exported to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, creating new opportunities to enhance the value of the industry in one of the world's most demanding seafood markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program is designed as a specialized B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers, providing opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood exporters, gain the latest market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A project titled "Sustainable Shrimp Industry Governance" has been launched in Ca Mau Province with the aim of supporting the transition of the province's shrimp industry toward higher quality, lower emissions, stronger governance capacity, improved supply chain traceability, and the development of a sustainable shrimp brand that meets the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.
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