Vietnam’s shrimp exports kicked off 2026 with solid momentum, posting double-digit growth in January and reaffirming shrimp’s position as the country’s most valuable seafood export.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, Vietnam exported USD 379.6 million worth of shrimp in January 2026, up 22% year on year from the same period in 2025. The double-digit growth in the first month of the year points to a relatively positive recovery in orders, particularly across Asian markets.
The main drivers of January’s growth were China and Japan, where demand strengthened ahead of the Lunar New Year. China remained the largest market, with imports of Vietnamese shrimp reaching USD 129.6 million, up 15% year on year. Exports to Japan totaled USD 44.8 million, rising 31%.
Seasonal stockpiling for holiday consumption, combined with improving purchasing power across the region, helped Vietnamese exporters maintain a steady shipment pace at the start of the year.
Meanwhile, shrimp exports to the United States reached USD 43.8 million in January. While the US market continues to show stable demand, it has yet to generate a significant jump in value within the overall export structure.
By product category, whiteleg shrimp remained the main growth engine. Exports of white shrimp totaled USD 216.9 million, accounting for 57.1% of the total and rising 31% year on year. Both processed shrimp and raw frozen shrimp posted solid growth, indicating relatively balanced demand across raw material and value-added segments.
Exports of tiger shrimp reached USD 29.2 million, up 34% year on year, though the product still represented a modest share of the total. The figures suggest that current export growth remains largely dependent on whiteleg shrimp, a segment that is generally more sensitive to price fluctuations and tariff policies in major markets.
VFM
