April 3, 2025 | 03:27 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Friday- 07:39, 29/01/2021

Vietnamese shrimp exports grow well despite the Covid-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has posed great impacts on many key seafood exports of Vietnam in 2020, but shrimp exports have been growing well.
 

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam's shrimp exports in 2020 reached US$3.73 billion, up 11% compared to 2019.

Thanks to Vietnam's success in controlling Covid-19, shrimp production and processing were not interrupted like in many other shrimp exporting countries, thereby maintaining an advantage over competitors.

The largest market for Vietnamese shrimps in 2020 was the US. In the first 11 months of 2020, shrimp exports to the US reached more than 75 thousand tons, worth US$804 million, up 30.1% in volume and 33.9% in turnover over the same period in 2019.

Not only Vietnam’s largest export market, the US is also the most stable market for Vietnamese shrimps. Vietnam shrimp exports to the US continued to grow steadily in all months of the first 11 months of 2020, despite the fact that the US was seriously hit by Covid-19. Shrimp imports into the US have been growing thanks to increased demand in the retail segment.

The second largest market of Vietnamese shrimp is Japan. In the first 11 months of 2020, shrimp exports to Japan reached more than 59 thousand tons, worth US$550 million, down 7.3% in volume and 3.1% in value. Following Japan is the EU with 57 thousand tons and US$472 million, up 3.5% in volume and 5.6% in value.

Vannamei continues to be the key product among Vietnam's shrimp exports. Among Vietnam's exported shrimp products in 2020, live/fresh/frozen vannamei accounted for the largest proportion with 38%; followed by processed vannamei with 35%; live/fresh/frozen tiger shrimps accounted for 13%; Other processed shrimps 12%; Other processed tiger shrimps 2%.

 

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for shrimps in food services (ie. restaurants and hotels...) dropped sharply. However, the demand in the retail segment increased, thus vannamei shrimps, which are more suitable for the retail segment because of their cheaper price and smaller size compared to tiger shrimps, increased, accounting for a high proportion in Vietnam's shrimp exports.

Shrimp farming in Vietnam is directed to increasing vannamei production. In 2020, the total area for shrimp farming was 736.5 thousand hectares. The output of harvested vannamei was more than 632 thousand tons, tiger shrimps 268 thousand tons, other shrimps 50 thousand tons.

Author: Dinh Thung

Translated by Thu Hang

Fertilizer prices in an upswing, analyst says

Fertilizer prices in an upswing, analyst says

(VAN) A fertilizer market analyst says prices remain high heading into planting season.

Businesses compete by environmental protection efforts

Businesses compete by environmental protection efforts

(VAN) Environmental protection policies in various markets are constantly evolving, and without adequate preparation to meet these demands, businesses may lose their competitive edge.

Taking advantage of opportunities to elevate Vietnamese food in the Halal market

Taking advantage of opportunities to elevate Vietnamese food in the Halal market

(VAN) Vietnam needs to have a comprehensive strategy for developing the Halal ecosystem, while also building a national brand for Halal agricultural exports in order to compete.

Indonesia prepares direct durian exports to China

Indonesia prepares direct durian exports to China

(VAN) Efforts are in progress to establish a direct export route.

More than 700 Vietnamese businesses seek opportunities to expand export markets

More than 700 Vietnamese businesses seek opportunities to expand export markets

(VAN) Vietnam Outstanding Export Products Fair 2025 gathered more than 700 booths, displaying key products such as agricultural products, food, handicrafts, and textiles.

How can shrimp floured and fried be exported to the EU?

How can shrimp floured and fried be exported to the EU?

(VAN) As a binder and flavor enhancer for dishes, eggs in shrimp floured and fried are classified by the EU as an allergen and must be fully declared.

Thailand boosts durian exports with safety measures

Thailand boosts durian exports with safety measures

(VAN) The Thai government takes steps to ensure quality and safety of durian exports as peak season approaches.

Read more