Japan consumed Vietnamese shrimp most last year

Vietnam retained its position as the largest shrimp supplier to Japan last year, with its exports to the market enjoying a boost compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

The MoIT reports Vietnam shipped 55,050 tonnes of shrimp to Japan last year, accounting for one fourth of the latter’s imported volume. 

The figure represents drops of 5.3% in volume and 7.6% in value to JPY64.4 billion, compared to 2019.

The adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic can be seen as the main factor in causing the average import price of shrimp into Japan last year to decrease by JPY78.7 per kilo to JPY1,108 per kilo, the MoIT says.

According to the MoIT’s Import-Export Department, Vietnam exported 137,000 tonnes of aquatic products in February worth US$400 million, marking a drop of 17.2% in volume and 20% in value compared to the same period from last year. 

During the opening two months of this year, Vietnam shipped 259,100 tonnes of aquatic products abroad with a value of US$1.011 billion, representing an annual increase of 5.5% in volume and a fall of 0.7% in value.