Vietnamese shrimp for the largest share in Canada market

Vietnamese shrimp accounts for the largest share of shrimp imported to Canada market thanks to a sharp increase of exports to this market this year, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shrimp exporting to Canada are increasing sharply this year. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

According to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in the first ten months of this year, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Canada reached US$146.5 million, increased by 29% over the same period last year. Canada is the 7th largest shrimp import market of Vietnam, accounting for 5% of the total value of Vietnamese shrimp exports.

According to the International Trade Center (ITC), Canada ranks 13th in terms of shrimp import in the world, accounting for about 2% of the total value of global shrimp imports. In the first 6 months of this year, Canada's shrimp import reached nearly US$213 million, up 0.5% over the same period last year.

Vietnam is the largest shrimp supplier to Canada, accounting for 34% of Canada's total shrimp imports. Thus, from 2014 up to now, Vietnam has continuously maintained its leading position in supplying shrimp to Canada.

India ranks second in supplying shrimp to Canada, accounting for 28%, followed by China, Thailand and Indonesia with 13%, 7% and 4% respectively. In the Canadian market, the shares of Vietnam and India are increasing while the share of Thailand is decreasing.

Canada mainly imports from Vietnam items such as raw frozen tiger shrimp (PTO); Raw frozen white shrimp (HLSO EZP); frozen headless tail on whiteleg shrimp; raw frozen Nobashi headless prawns; raw frozen headless shell on left tail tiger shrimp; raw frozen headless prawn (HLSO), frozen tiger shrimp; frozen head-on shrimp; frozen breaded whiteleg shrimp; Raw Butterfly Cut Whiteleg Shrimp; Frozen steamed white shrimp (PTO).