Japan: Vietnam Holds Top Supplier Spot as Value-Added Demand Grows

According to VASEP (25 October 2026), Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Japan reached USD 440.9 million over the first nine months of 2026, up 6.4% year on year, with September alone at USD 52.3 million (up 8.6%). Japan now represents 11.8% of Vietnam’s total shrimp export value and stands as its third-largest market behind China and the United States.

On the import side, ITC figures for the first eight months show Japan bringing in roughly USD 1.25 billion of shrimp, down 3%. Vietnam supplied close to USD 330 million of that — flat year on year, but a 26.4% share that keeps it the single largest supplier by value. Indonesia followed at USD 194.6 million (down 6%), India at USD 193.8 million (up 5%), Thailand at USD 153.1 million (down 25%) and Ecuador at USD 87.9 million (down 8%).

The pattern is consistent: Vietnam competes in Japan on processing depth rather than raw price, which is where Thailand’s sharp decline and Ecuador’s volume model lose ground.

Source: VASEP — Xuất khẩu tôm sang Nhật Bản: Cơ hội từ phân khúc chế biến và giá trị gia tăng