Shrimp has become Vietnam’s leading seafood export, and its rapid growth is reshaping the country’s trade picture. Understanding the numbers helps explain why the sector matters for the wider economy.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, shrimp exports reached $3.7 billion in the first nine months of the year. China was the biggest buyer, accounting for $1.2 billion, or 33 % of the total, a rise of 37 % compared with a year earlier.

The association also reported that shrimp generated $4.83 billion last year, which is 42 % of Vietnam’s $11.3 billion total aquatic product exports and represents a 25.5 % year‑on‑year increase. This makes shrimp the single most valuable commodity in the sector.

Exports to the United States fell 15 % to $498 million and to the European Union dropped 4.9 % to $406.4 million. The decline is linked to a 12.5 % tariff under Section 301 and additional anti‑dumping duties imposed on Vietnamese shrimp.

Meanwhile, shipments to Japan rose 6.4 % to $440.9 million, to Australia grew 18.5 % to $211.9 million, and to Canada increased 11 % to $130.5 million. Markets covered by the CPTPP together exceeded $1 billion, up 10.2 %, helping to offset the losses in the U.S. and EU.

Because shrimp now supplies more than four‑tenths of the country’s aquatic export earnings, its continued expansion can drive broader economic growth. However, tariffs and shifting demand mean the industry must navigate significant challenges to keep the momentum.