In the first half of 2025, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the EU reached over 252 million USD, up 16% compared to the same period last year, according to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). The EU is considered the most stable growth market for Vietnamese shrimp in the first half of 2025.
Some key markets in the EU recorded notable growth, reported VASEP: “Germany increased by 24%, Belgium by 31% and France by nearly 20%. However, the Netherlands, a traditionally large market, experienced a slight decline of 4%.” This reflects shifts in consumption patterns and segmentation within the EU market that Vietnamese businesses need to grasp.
Regarding product structure, whiteleg shrimp remained the dominant product with an export value of USD 206 million, accounting for 81.9% of total exports to the EU and growing by 17.8%. Notably, both main product categories of whiteleg shrimp showed strong growth: processed shrimp reached USD 97.4 million up 17%, while live/fresh/frozen shrimp reached USD 108.7 million, up 18.6%. The second dominant product is the black tiger shrimp, which exports amounted to USD 25 million, accounting for 9.9%, but saw a slight decrease of 7.1% year-on-year.
Other types of shrimp achieved USD 20.7 million, surging by 33.2%. Other processed products rose by 50%, showing that the EU is expanding its consumption of non-traditional marine shrimp, particularly high-value-added processed products that are suitable for the region’s growing demands for convenience and food safety standards.
Concerning the plans to impose countervailing tariffs on global goods imported to the U.S., Vietnamese shrimp is no exception in the unstable global trade environment. The EU emerges as a safe destination with lower policy risks. Exporters from Vietnam, India, and Indonesia are gradually redirecting orders to this market. Additionally, the EU’s economic recovery post-pandemic and controlled inflation have also boosted consumer demand.
Rabobank and Kontali showed: “EU shrimp import demand has been steadily rising since early 2024. In the first half of 2025, shrimp imports to the EU are estimated to have increased by 25% with sales to other European countries also growing by 8%.”
To grow shrimp exports to the EU, businesses must ensure strict traceability, meet certifications like ASC, Global G.A.P., and Organic, and focus on high-quality, branded products.
Vietnamese exporters can gain market share through strong branding strategies, targeting both premium segments and increasingly price-sensitive retail and foodservice markets. To sustain and expand market share in the EU in the second half of 2025 and beyond, VASEP suggested that Vietnamese shrimp exporters should consider:
- Repositioning competitive strategies: Shift from price competition to focusing on quality, sustainability and transparency.
- Developing premium products: Focus on organic shrimp, ASC-certified shrimp and branded black tiger shrimp that align with European retail preferences.
- Enhancing traceability: Apply technologies such as QR codes to demonstrate clear origin.
- Penetrating green retail systems: Target chains like Lidl, Aldi and Waitrose which prioritize eco-certified and transparent products.
