Overview
Vietnam is the world's third-largest shrimp producer and exporter, and the fisheries sector is one of the most important export sectors in Vietnam's agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. The main species are whiteleg shrimp and black tiger (giant tiger prawn), with annual shrimp output of about 900,000 tonnes and export value reaching about US$4 billion.
Growing regions and areas
The center of shrimp farming is the Mekong Delta region. Ca Mau Province has Vietnam's largest shrimp-farming area and is also known for eco-shrimp farming that makes use of mangrove forests. Bac Lieu Province、Soc Trang Province、Tra Vinh province is also a main producing area, with a farming area reaching about 750,000 hectares nationwide.
Cultivation methods and harvest season
Shrimp farming is carried out year-round, in three forms: extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive. Intensive farming achieves a high productivity of 40 to 60 tonnes per hectare. The farming cycle is about three to four months, allowing two to three harvests a year. In recent years, the introduction of biofloc technology and RAS (recirculating aquaculture systems) has advanced, balancing a reduced environmental load with higher productivity.
Exports and market trends
The main export destinations for Vietnamese shrimp are the United States, the EU, Japan, South Korea, and China. The share of processed shrimp (frozen peeled shrimp, breaded shrimp, etc.) is high, with value-added products at the core. The acquisition of ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) and BAP certifications is advancing, accelerating the shift to sustainable farming.
Connections with Japan
Japan is one of the largest importers of Vietnamese shrimp, importing about 40,000 tonnes a year. Products highly processed for the Japanese market, such as frozen peeled shrimp, tempura shrimp, and sushi-topping shrimp, are the mainstay. Japanese seafood companies have also set up processing bases in Vietnam, and the joint building of quality-control systems is advancing.
