Shrimp exports show strong growth in January

According to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam's shrimp exports reached USD 379.6 million in January 2026, up 22% compared to the same period in 2025. The double-digit growth recorded right in the first month of the year shows relatively positive signs of order recovery, particularly in Asian markets.

The growth in shrimp exports in January was mainly driven by China and Japan. These are two markets recording high demand ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. China remained the largest market, with export turnover reaching USD 129.6 million, up 15% from the same period. Shrimp exports to Japan reached USD 44.8 million, increasing by 31%.

Stockpiling trends for holiday consumption and improving purchasing power in these markets helped Vietnamese enterprises maintain a strong export pace from the beginning of the year.

In January, shrimp exports to the U.S. reached USD 43.8 million. This indicates that the U.S. market still maintained a certain level of demand, although it has not yet created a breakthrough in value within the overall export structure.

In terms of export products, whiteleg shrimp continued to be the main growth driver, valued at USD 216.9 million, accounting for 57.1% of total export turnover and increasing by 31% compared to the same period. Both processed shrimp and frozen raw shrimp recorded good growth, showing relatively balanced demand across both segments.

Black tiger shrimp exports reached USD 29.2 million, up 34%, but the share remained modest. This shows that current growth still relies largely on whiteleg shrimp, a product more sensitive to price fluctuations and tax policies in major markets.