HCMC – Vietnam’s shrimp exports are picking up early this year, buoyed by stronger demand from China and lower U.S. anti-dumping duties, helping the seafood sector pursue its US$11.5 billion export goal. Shrimp is expected to contribute nearly half.
As of February 15, seafood export revenue reached nearly US$1.46 billion, making seafood one of the top three agricultural export earners, according to Vietnam Customs.
In 2025, China became Vietnam’s largest shrimp export market, with total exports put at US$1.3 billion, up 55% year-on-year. Green lobster exports to China totaled US$840 million, up 131%. In January 2026 alone, green lobster exports to this market exceeded US$100 million, rising 6% year-on-year. China’s shrimp import market in 2025 reached nearly one million tons, valued at almost US$5 billion.
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said China is expected to maintain large shrimp imports but with stricter requirements on quality, traceability and processing standards.
In the U.S., the anti-dumping duty on Vietnamese shrimp was reduced to 4.58% from 35.29%, with a deposit rate of 4.28%, lowering import costs. VASEP said the lower rate allows exporters to offer more competitive prices and secure contracts while maintaining supply stability.
At the end of last year, limited domestic supply and rising demand for raw shrimp for dried processing pushed prices up 5–10%, or VND10,000–15,000 per kilogram, reducing export volumes. Buyers have since resumed purchases, and shrimp exports this year are forecast to increase.
