AsemconnectVietnam - Vietnam's shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 continued their positive growth momentum, reaching approximately US$1.5 billion, a 15% increase compared to the same period last year.

However, behind this result was a contrasting trend across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to be affected by inflation, high inventory levels, price competition, and increased trade risks.
Despite the export recovery, the Vietnamese shrimp industry still faces intense competition from Ecuador, India, and Indonesia. Furthermore, tensions in the Middle East are causing shipping costs to rise again and delivery times to lengthen. This not only impacts business profit margins but also increases the risk for future export orders.
Forecasts for May and subsequent months indicate that Vietnam's shrimp exports still have the opportunity to maintain growth thanks to relatively strong demand from China and the stability of markets such as Japan, the UK, and the CPTPP bloc.
However, the US market is unlikely to recover quickly due to high inventory levels, weak purchasing power, and prolonged trade risks. In the context of increasingly fierce global competition, the Vietnamese shrimp industry may need to focus more on deep processing, cost optimization, improved traceability, and sustainable development to maintain its competitive advantage in the future.
CK
Source: VITIC/vasep.com.vn