Vietnam shrimp industry report 2021–2025: Overview and outlook to 2030
The period 2021–2025 has been a time of significant volatility for Vietnam’s shrimp industry as well as the global shrimp market. After strong growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, the global shrimp market entered a period of adjustment from 2023, driven by global inflation, high inventories in major importing markets, and a sharp increase in supply from major producing countries such as Ecuador and India. These factors created considerable challenges for Vietnam’s shrimp industry in maintaining export growth.
However, the Vietnamese shrimp sector has demonstrated a notable ability to adapt to market fluctuations. After a sharp decline in 2023, shrimp exports gradually recovered in the following years and reached a record value of USD 4.6 billion in 2025, reaffirming the shrimp sector’s role as the pillar of Vietnam’s seafood exports.
In terms of product structure, whiteleg shrimp continued to be the dominant product, accounting for the largest share of total export value. In addition, products in the other shrimp category, particularly lobster, have recorded strong growth in recent years thanks to rising demand from China and several Asian markets.
Regarding markets, the United States, Japan, the EU, China, and South Korea remain the most important importers of Vietnamese shrimp. Among them, China has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets in recent years due to strong demand for large-sized shrimp and lobster. Meanwhile, traditional markets such as Japan and South Korea continue to maintain stable consumption of processed shrimp products.
In an increasingly competitive global shrimp market, Vietnam faces several challenges, including high production costs, increasingly stringent requirements on environmental standards and sustainable development, and growing competition from lower-cost shrimp-producing countries.
To provide businesses and policymakers with a comprehensive view of the development of Vietnam’s shrimp industry, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has compiled the Vietnam Shrimp Industry Report 2021–2025 with an outlook to 2030.
The report focuses on the following key topics:
Through a comprehensive system of statistical data and market analysis, the report aims to provide businesses, policymakers, and research institutions with valuable reference information for strategic planning in production, business, and market development in the coming years.
VASEP cordially invites businesses and interested readers to register for the Vietnam Shrimp Industry Report 2021–2025 with an outlook to 2030.
Contact: Ms. Hai Yen Phone: +84 8 5858 2626 Email: nguyenyen@vasep.com.vn
Or register via the following link: https://vasep.com.vn/ban-tin-bao-cao/bao-cao-san-pham-thuy-san/bao-cao-nganh-hang-tom-2021-2025-du-bao-den-nam-2030-26614.html
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive momentum in the tilapia sector, with Brazil emerging as a key driver of growth, while frozen tilapia fillets continued to be the industry's leading export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK have shown positive signs in the first months of 2026. While the UK’s overall tuna imports from the world declined, imports from Vietnam increased strongly, indicating that there is still room for Vietnam to expand its market share. However, behind this growth, competitive pressure remains intense, especially as the UK continues to be a major market for established suppliers such as Ecuador, Mauritius, and Ghana.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Biofloc technology is being piloted in several rice–shrimp farming models in Ca Mau Province, showing initial positive results in controlling pond environments, improving shrimp seed quality, and supporting sustainable aquaculture development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia together contributed USD 108 million to Vietnam’s pangasius exports, accounting for around 15% of the industry’s total export turnover. Amid tightening global whitefish supply and slowing demand in several traditional markets, Latin America is increasingly becoming an important expansion destination for the sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Alongside the development of high-tech shrimp farming, Ha Tinh Province is accelerating the cultivation of high-value freshwater aquatic species, with red tilapia emerging as an effective and sustainable farming model.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn