Amid the risk of facing trade defense tariffs from the United States, diversifying export markets has become urgent. Australia is expected to be an effective “supporting platform” for Vietnam’s shrimp industry due to its stable and transparent legal environment, which helps minimize risks and maintain the momentum of export growth.
Australia is currently the fifth-largest single market for Vietnamese shrimp, accounting for about 7% of the total export value. In just the first four months of 2025, shrimp exports to this market reached nearly 77 million USD. This is an increase of 8% compared to the same period last year. From 2019 to 2024, the export value of shrimp to Australia has steadily increased from 127 million USD to over 240 million USD.
Notably, white-leg shrimp accounts for 95% of the total export volume, including 40% of processed products.
According to the VASEP, although the population is only about 25.7 million people, Australia is considered a market with high purchasing power, where consumers are willing to pay a premium for quality, safe, and traceable food.
Australia – A strategic market full of potential for the Vietnamese shrimp industry.
Major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, which are home to high-income groups and young consumers, are ideal destinations for Vietnam’s processed shrimp products. In addition, the Vietnamese community of about 300,000 people in Australia also contributes to the natural promotion and consumption of Vietnamese-origin products. This is an opportunity for Vietnamese shrimp to deeply access the market for ready-to-eat, convenient, and premium packaged products, especially as the technological capabilities of Vietnamese enterprises continue to improve.
Vietnam and Australia are both members of new-generation FTAs such as CPTPP, RCEP, and AANZFTA, which help reduce tariffs, simplify customs procedures, and enhance trade transparency. In March 2024, the two countries upgraded their relationship to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Despite many advantages, there are numerous barriers for Vietnamese businesses when entering the Australian market.
This country applies strict quarantine regulations, requiring imported products not only to meet standards for antibiotics and microorganisms but also to be free of viruses. Besides, high logistics costs and long transportation times (14-18 days) are significant challenges for fresh and frozen products.
The United States, which is the largest market for Vietnamese shrimp exports, is facing the risk of higher anti-dumping duties in the new review period; market diversification has become an urgent requirement.
With a favorable political foundation, increasing demand for processed shrimp, and strong support from new-generation FTAs, Australia could be one of the key markets in the strategy to diversify the export markets of the Vietnamese shrimp industry.
Unlike the United States, the Australian market is more stable, with less political volatility and a transparent legal system, thereby reducing risks for Vietnamese businesses in the long term.