July 14, 2026
 

Vietnam's shrimp exports to China surge 46% in first five months of 2026 as US market uncertainty persists

China's total shrimp imports rose 25% year-on-year to over 429,000 tonnes in January-May, with Vietnam positioning itself in higher-value products to compete against Ecuador and India on quality rather than price.

Vietnam's shrimp exports to mainland China and Hong Kong generated more than US$711 million in the first five months of 2026, up 46% year-on-year and accounting for nearly 38% of the country's total shrimp export revenue, as China's expanding import appetite offsets growing uncertainty in the US market.

China imported nearly 85,460 tonnes of shrimp in May alone, a 15% year-on-year increase, according to Chinese customs data cited by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). For the January-May period, China's total shrimp imports reached over 429,070 tonnes, up 25%, with import value climbing 21% to US$2.207 billion.

Ecuador remained China's dominant supplier at 328,740 tonnes for the period, up 29%, followed by India at 62,100 tonnes, up 31%, then Thailand, Indonesia and Argentina. Despite Ecuador and India's volume dominance, VASEP said China's growing import demand creates opportunities for Vietnam in higher-value segments. China has primarily sourced lobsters, black tiger shrimp and other premium shrimp products from Vietnam, with exports of live, fresh and frozen shrimp surging 97.2% in 2025. China was Vietnam's largest shrimp buyer last year, with purchases valued at US$1.23 billion, up 60.8% from 2024.

Overall, Vietnam's shrimp exports rose 12% in January-May 2026. The industry recorded a record export turnover of US$4.6 billion in 2025, up 19% year-on-year, with the United States accounting for US$796 million or 17.2% of total earnings.

However, VASEP said Vietnamese exporters face significant headwinds in the US market, including reciprocal tariffs, countervailing duties and ongoing anti-dumping risks. US importers are also expected to reduce purchases towards year-end as they adjust inventories, adding further uncertainty. VASEP said China, the European Union and CPTPP member countries are expected to remain the primary growth engines for Vietnam's shrimp sector in 2026, with the industry advised to compete on product quality, traceability, advanced processing and value-added products rather than on price alone.

- Tuoi Tre News