AsemconnectVietnam - According to VASEP, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD542.387 million in the first two months of the year, up 30.8% year-on-year.

In February 2025 alone, shrimp exports reached USD231.406 million, up 33.9% compared to February 2024. This recovery shows that the shrimp industry is regaining growth momentum after a period of low prices in 2023-2024. According to VASEP, although imports from China and the US will decrease in 2024, other markets such as the EU and some emerging regions have filled the gap, helping global shrimp production to remain stable while prices improve. This is a sign of a healthier balance between supply and demand.
Sustainable development plan for Vietnam’s brackish water shrimp industry in 2025
In 2025, Vietnam's brackish water shrimp industry will continue to grow sustainably, enhancing value-added products with strong contributions from local authorities and the business community.
The specific goals and plans are outlined as follows:
General goals:
• Sustainable development: The shrimp industry needs to implement a coordinated approach from the central to local levels, with a shift towards an aquaculture economy rather than just focusing on production.
• Increase in production and exports: Shrimp production is expected to reach 1.3 to 1.4 million tons, including 350,000 tons of black tiger shrimp and 1.05 million tons of whiteleg shrimp. Export turnover is projected to reach between 4.0 and 4.3 billion USD.
• Focus on quality and value-added products: The industry will focus on developing deep processing, fine processing, and ready-to-eat products to enhance the value-added aspect of shrimp products.
Some key producing provinces:
• Quảng Ninh: Maintain shrimp broodstock production of 3 billion post-larvae, meeting at least 40% of local demand, with over 1.5 billion post-larvae of shrimp.
• Sóc Trăng: Total area for aquaculture will be 74,000 ha, with continued efforts to attract investment in brackish water shrimp breeding.
• Bạc Liêu: Produce 39 billion shrimp post-larvae, with export turnover reaching 1.21 billion USD, a 7% increase compared to 2024.
• Cà Mau: Aquaculture production will reach 423,000 tons, with shrimp production at 252,000 tons. The area for intensive and super-intensive shrimp farming will cover 6,800 ha, with super-intensive shrimp farming accounting for 5,500 ha. Shrimp broodstock production will meet more than 50% of the province’s demand.
Key tasks and solutions:
• Management of shrimp broodstock and feed: local authorities will strengthen communication and monitoring of shrimp breeding and feed production facilities.
• Aquaculture development: continue to manage farming zones effectively, ensuring food safety and proper aquaculture conditions.
• Disease control and food safety: enhance monitoring and supervision of shrimp quality, focusing on post-larvae and final products, and speed up follow-up inspections.
• Science and technology: apply new shrimp farming technologies such as biofloc and semi-biofloc, and drive digital transformation in the aquaculture sector.
• Market and trade promotion: actively research new market requirements and adapt to these during production, while closely coordinating with vasep to ensure the supply of raw materials for processing and exports.
Ben Tre’s High-Tech Shrimp Farming Expansion
• 523 hectares added in 2024, surpassing the 500-hectare target (104.6% completion rate).
• 3,633 hectares converted to high-tech farming (90.82% of the 4,000-hectare goal).
• High-tech farms yield 60-70 tons/hectare, with profits of VND 700-800 million per cycle.
• Focus on disease control, high-density stocking, and waste management to boost efficiency.
• Dedicated shrimp farming zones:
o Ba Tri (222 hectares, 5 enterprises)
o Thanh Phu (165 hectares, 8 investors)
o Binh Dai (150 hectares in development)
• 79 shrimp seed facilities, including 3 specialized in whiteleg shrimp seed (2-4 billion seeds/year each).
• Certification efforts:
o ASC (90 hectares in Thanh Hai, Thanh Phu district)
o BAP (96 hectares with Minh Phu & Viet Hai Seafood)
o 5,459 hectares meet GAP, organic, or equivalent standards.
Ca Mau’s Shrimp Farming Development
• 2024 shrimp farming area: 278,600 hectares, producing 242,000 tons (+4.57%).
• Shrimp exports reached $1.12 billion, making Ca Mau a leading shrimp-producing province.
• Farming methods & yields:
o Improved extensive farming: 188,000 hectares (500-700 kg/hectare/year).
o Super-intensive farming: 5,025 hectares (20.5 tons/hectare/year).
o Intensive farming: 1,509 hectares (5-8 tons/hectare/year).
o Integrated extensive farming: 84,000 hectares (300-350 kg/hectare/year).
• Certified shrimp areas: 22,590 hectares with ASC, BAP, EU Organic, Canada Organic, etc.
• 2025 focus:
o Expanding super-intensive & intensive farming in favorable regions.
o Investing in infrastructure to support large-scale production.
o Strengthening cooperative models & traceability to improve global competitiveness.
Both Ben Tre and Ca Mau are leveraging high-tech farming and certifications to enhance productivity, sustainability, and export potential in the shrimp industry.
T.Huong
Source: Vitic/Vasep