In the first half of January 2025, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China and Hong Kong (China) soared by 191% year-on-year, reaching over USD 51 million, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Strong Recovery in Vietnam’s Shrimp Exports to China
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VASEP data shows that in 2024, within Vietnam’s shrimp export structure to China and Hong Kong:
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Other shrimp species (mainly lobsters) accounted for 51.7% of total exports, driven by China’s sharp rise in lobster imports from Vietnam.
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Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) accounted for 36.1%.
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Black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) accounted for 12.2%.
While exports of processed shrimp products declined, live/fresh/frozen shrimp performed better. In 2024, exports of:
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Processed black tiger shrimp dropped sharply by 44%.
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Other shrimp species surged by 174%, with processed products up 199% and live/fresh/frozen shrimp up 185%.
The primary growth driver came from live rock lobster exports, as China remained Vietnam’s largest lobster importer, accounting for 98–99% of total lobster exports.
Vietnam Emerges as China’s Only Growing Shrimp Supplier
According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), China’s total shrimp imports in 2024 reached USD 6.8 billion, down 10% from the previous year. Notably, Vietnam was the only major supplier to record growth, while China reduced imports from other countries.
In terms of product structure, rock lobsters and other marine shrimp became the second-most imported category into China in 2024, increasing 39% year-on-year. Meanwhile, imports of warm-water shrimp, including frozen whiteleg shrimp, declined significantly.
Decline in China’s Demand for Whiteleg Shrimp
VASEP reports that despite the approach of Lunar New Year, the whiteleg shrimp market in China showed no signs of recovery — prices continued to fall. The decline was not caused by oversupply but by a drop in middle-class consumption power.
Whiteleg shrimp, once a staple on middle-class dining tables due to affordability and nutritional value, has now become a discretionary choice. As China’s economy slows and household budgets tighten, consumers are increasingly cost-conscious, preferring cheaper, easy-to-store proteins such as meat.
This consumption shift is especially visible in large urban centers, where affordable protein options have replaced shrimp as daily staples. In contrast, premium seafood like lobster, salmon, and king crab still enjoy steady demandamong affluent consumers.
Outlook for Vietnamese Exporters
VASEP notes that the shrinking whiteleg shrimp segment reflects broader vulnerabilities in China’s mass consumer market amid economic headwinds.
To adapt, Vietnamese exporters should:
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Leverage their competitive advantage in high-end products such as lobsters.
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Expand marketing and brand promotion efforts in China.
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Develop attractive marketing strategies to stimulate demand for traditional products like whiteleg shrimp and black tiger shrimp.
Despite shifting consumer behavior, China remains a key and high-value market for Vietnam’s seafood sector, offering opportunities for diversified and sustainable export growth.