When you want to source shrimp or to understand its production areas in depth, you naturally wonder, "Which country is strongest right now?"
The world's shrimp farming market has changed dramatically over the past decade. While the former champion Thailand suffered from disease, Ecuador has grown rapidly, and Vietnam and India are gaining presence.
This article compares the production volumes, farming methods, and export structures of the five main countries, explaining the strengths and challenges of each.
An overview of the world shrimp-aquaculture market
World shrimp-aquaculture output exceeded about 5 million tonnes as of 2022. China is the largest producer, but the five countries with a presence in the export market are in Asia and South America.
Japan consumes a lot of shrimp and relies on imports for nearly 100%. Trends in production areas are directly tied to the food industry.
Here is an overview of the five main countries at a glance.
| Country | Estimated annual output | Main variety | Main export destinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | About 1.1 million tonnes | Whiteleg (vannamei) and black tiger | Japan, the US, the EU |
| Ecuador | About 1.3 million tonnes | vannamei | China, the US, the EU |
| India | About 900,000 tonnes | vannamei | The US, the EU, Japan |
| Thailand | About 250,000 tonnes | vannamei | Japan, the US |
| Indonesia | About 450,000 tonnes | Whiteleg (vannamei) and black tiger | Japan, the US |
By output alone Ecuador is at the top, but in quality, export systems, and the diversity of varieties, each country has its own character.
Vietnam: a diverse export system strong in the Japanese market
Vietnam maintains a top-tier position in Asia for shrimp export value.
Main production areas
The main production areas are Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, and Soc Trang provinces in the southern Mekong Delta.
Aquaculture that makes use of fresh and brackish waters is thriving, and the area is world-famous as a producer of black tiger shrimp (family Penaeidae).
Farming method
Vietnam's distinguishing feature is the diversity of its farming methods.
- Extensive farming: a low-density, low-cost method that makes use of mangrove forests
- Intensive farming: mass production of whiteleg shrimp at high density on a short cycle
- Organic-certified farming: demand is expanding for the European market
In recent years, moves to obtain organic and ASC certification have been active, and value-added exports are increasing.
Export structure
Vietnam's shrimp export value reached about US$4.2 billion in 2022.
Exports to Japan account for about 18% of the total, and the quality of processed and frozen products is well regarded.
Ecuador: a fast-growing emerging force in South America
Ecuador has achieved remarkable growth since 2015 and now surpasses the Asian players in production volume.
Why Ecuador grew so rapidly
The biggest reason is its low disease risk.
It largely escaped the damage of EMS (early mortality syndrome), which swept across Asia, and was able to maintain stable production. Its vast land along the Pacific coast and climate conditions are also well suited to farming whiteleg shrimp.
Farming method
Its methods are mainly semi-extensive to intensive, with large ponds a distinguishing feature.
Large-scale operations using big ponds of more than 1 hectare are common, giving it cost competitiveness.
There was a time when antibiotic use was viewed as a problem, but in recent years tighter regulation and better management have advanced.
Export structure
About 60% of its exports go to China.
However, there is also a structural risk of being easily affected by demand swings in the Chinese market. Diversifying toward the EU and the US is a challenge.
India: dominating the US market through cost competitiveness
India rapidly expanded its shrimp exports from the 2010s.
Its export value reached about US$8 billion in 2022, becoming a pillar of its seafood exports.
Main production areas
Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Gujarat are the main production areas.
The development of farming ponds continues even inland, and the production base is expanding.
Farming methods and export strengths
Intensive farming of whiteleg shrimp is the mainstay, and low production costs are its greatest competitive edge.
In the US market, Indian whiteleg shrimp holds a very high share and is valued as "cheap and plentiful."
On the other hand, variability in quality and antibiotic issues are sometimes pointed out.
Efforts toward higher added value are still less developed than in Vietnam.
Thailand: rebuilding with a focus on quality
Thailand, once the world's largest shrimp exporter, suffered a devastating blow from the EMS outbreak of 2013.
At its peak it produced more than 600,000 tonnes a year, but it has now fallen to about 250,000 tonnes.
The current situation
Production has not fully recovered, but its reputation for quality remains high.
In the Japanese market, the image of "Thai product equals high reliability" remains deeply rooted.
It has shifted to a strategy of specializing in exports of processed and high-value products and raising unit prices.
Challenges ahead
Rising farming costs, labor shortages, and stagnating production are the challenges.
Rather than competing on mass production, a premium route will be the key going forward.
Indonesia: great potential but many challenges
In Indonesia, shrimp farming is carried out on many islands, including Sulawesi, Java, and Sumatra.
Its coastal area suitable for farming is among the largest in the world, but in many regions infrastructure development and the spread of technology have not kept pace.
Farming method
Both black tiger and whiteleg shrimp are farmed.
Everything from traditional extensive farming to modern intensive farming is mixed together, and large variation in productivity is the current reality.
Export structure
Exports to Japan are large, and black tiger shrimp in particular is highly regarded in the Japanese market.
The government is strengthening investment in fisheries and has set a goal of doubling production by 2030.
Comparing the farming methods and export structures of the five countries
Sorting out each country's features, the differences are as follows.
| Comparison item | Vietnam | Ecuador | India | Thailand | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main variety | Whiteleg and BT | vannamei | vannamei | vannamei | Whiteleg and BT |
| Farming method | Diverse (extensive to intensive) | Semi-extensive to intensive | Intensive | Intensive | Extensive to intensive |
| Cost competitiveness | Medium | High | Very high | Low | Medium |
| Quality stability | High | Medium to high | Medium | High | Medium |
| Organic and certification compliance | Advanced | Developing | Developing | Advanced | Developing |
| Main export destinations | Japan, the US, the EU | China | US | Japan | Japan, the US |
BT = black tiger
Summary
World shrimp farming has shifted greatly from the former concentration in Thailand to a multipolar structure.
- Output is where Ecuador and Vietnam are gaining presence
- Cost is where India and Ecuador have overwhelming competitiveness
- Quality and certification is where Vietnam and Thailand are a step ahead
- Potential is where Indonesia has the greatest room to grow
From the standpoint of stable supply to the Japanese market, Vietnam is a production area with a good balance of variety diversity, quality, and export systems.
Organizing your thinking around the four axes of "cost, quality, certification compliance, and supply stability" as criteria for choosing a production area makes your sourcing strategy easier to see.
VN AGRI shares the latest information on Vietnamese agriculture. We regularly update content on the production areas, market trends, and import practicalities of Vietnamese shrimp, so please take a look at our other articles as well.
