Vietnam's shrimp exports exceed $2.3 billion

1. Vietnam Shrimp Export Report - H1/2026

The shrimp export picture in the first half of 2026 (reaching $2.35 billion, up 14.2%) reveals a sharp polarization and potential risks for Vietnam's seafood industry. According to VASEP, our dependence on China is growing. This country, together with Hong Kong, accounted for over one-third of the total export turnover ($845 million). The rapid 47% growth in exports to China brings revenue on the one hand, but on the other hand, puts the shrimp industry at high risk if this market suddenly tightens quarantine regulations or changes its demand.

 

More concerning is the slowdown in Western markets. Europe's recovery is very weak, while the US – an important traditional market – dropped by 15% in the first half of the year, to only $290 million. The sudden 32% surge in June in the US is actually just a short-term front-loading (stockpiling) phenomenon to avoid upcoming anti-dumping and countervailing duties.

Along with the pressure from tariff barriers and traceability requirements, ocean freight costs to the US remain at a squeezing level for businesses (nearly $8,920/container to the East Coast). Without solutions to resolve difficulties in distant markets, putting all eggs in one basket in Asia will be a double-edged sword for the shrimp industry.

2. In reality, the cumulative 6-month exports to the US still decreased by 15%.

By taking advantage of low logistics costs, fast delivery times, and short capital turnover of Asian routes (compared to the expensive freight rates of $6,400 - $8,900/container to the US), Vietnamese enterprises are optimizing their profits. However, for this strategy to be sustainable, the shrimp industry needs to prepare response scenarios for rapid changes in quarantine policies from the billion-people market.

 

Vietnamese shrimp faces immense pressure in the US (anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, traceability requirements). Logistics freight to the US remains at record highs (East Coast: ~$8,920/cont; West Coast: ~$6,487/cont), reducing competitiveness compared to other suppliers.

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