Rise in VN shrimp exports to Australia in Nov 2016

Australia is a potential market of Vietnamese shrimp because enterprises are focusing more on the market thanks its higher import demand. Vietnam’shrimp exports to Australia reached more than US$100 million each year. In 2014, Australia imported over US$150 million of shrimp from Vietnam.

Australia is the 7th largest importer of Vietnam shrimp, accounting for 3.5% of total shrimp exports by Vietnam to markets. In Nov 2016, shrimp sales to the market reached more than US$14 million, up 55%. Sales to the market in Jan-Nov 2016 downed 3.6% to touch US$101.6 million.

Among total shrimp products exported to Australia, processed shrimp took up 78% of total exports by Vietnam to the market. In the last 5 years, Vietnam has been remaining to be the leading supplier of processed shrimp to Australia.

Despite strict requirements, Australia is considered to be the important market of Vietnam shrimp thanks to its higher demand for shrimp. Besides, Australia tend to focus on importing shrimp from main suppliers, reduce importing from other origins. This is considered as an advantage for leading suppliers of shrimp to Australia, including Vietnam.

The Director of Biosecurity of Australia has suspended uncooked prawn imports into Australia. The Director took this action in response to information from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources that the level of risk associated with uncooked imported prawns (including prawn meat) had become unacceptable. The ban took effect from Jan 9th 2016 and last 6 months. The ban may affect shrimp suppliers of uncooked prawn into Australia.