In the first two months of 2025, Vietnam’s shrimp exports showed positive signs with strong growth in several key markets.
Vietnam’s shrimp exports in January and February 2025 reached 605 million USD, an increase of 46% compared to the same period in 2024. White-leg shrimp continued to account for the largest share with an export value of 344 million USD, an increase of 15% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, tiger shrimp reached 45 million USD, a decrease of 5%. The “other shrimp” group achieved an export value of 216 million USD, an increase of 222%.
China and Hong Kong (China) were the largest import markets for Vietnamese shrimp, with a value of 204 million USD, accounting for 34% of total shrimp exports to all markets. This was a significant increase of 150% compared to the same period last year. This impressive growth is mainly due to the strong increase in lobster exports to these markets.
The import of lobsters into China continued to rise in the early part of 2025, while the import of white-leg shrimp and tiger shrimp has not yet recovered strongly.
Shrim exports showed positive signs in the first two month.
According to VASEP’s report, shrimp is the most popular seafood item on online shopping platforms in China. People in wealthy cities like Beijing and Shanghai tend to consume more shrimp than in other regions.
In addition to China, the United States is another major market for Vietnamese shrimp exports. In the first two months of this year, shrimp exports to the US reached 77 million USD, an increase of 7%.
However, Vietnam is forecast to face difficulties in this market in the near future as American consumers are concerned that the unclear import taxes after the Trump administration takes office could increase the prices of seafood products, including shrimp. Along with that, the Lent season starting later than usual also contributed to the decrease in shrimp sales in the early part of the year.
The EU is considered a stable market for Vietnamese shrimp. Exports of shrimp to the EU reached 64 million USD in the first two months of this year, an increase of 31% compared to the same period last year. Consumers in Europe are increasingly favoring clean shrimp, organic shrimp, and processed shrimp products. The consumption of products such as steamed shrimp, peeled shrimp, or packaged shrimp products is increasing, meeting the demands of modern life.
In 2025, Vietnam aims to achieve shrimp export turnover of 4-4.3 billion USD. VASEP said that shrimp exports will grow thanks to adjustments in production strategies and the expansion of potential export markets such as Australia, the Middle East, the UK, and South Korea.
To continue maintaining growth momentum, VASEP recommends that businesses focus on processed products, optimize production costs, and meet the strict standards of import markets.
“Currently, the goal of the shrimp industry is not only to focus on production but also to prioritize quality, protect consumer health, and create sustainable added value. This is the key for Vietnamese shrimp to continue maintaining its position in the global market,” Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said.