In January 2025, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the UK reached more than 16 million USD, an increase of 8% over the same period last year.

The UK is the 6th largest single market for shrimp imports from Vietnam, accounting for 5.5% of Vietnam's total shrimp exports to markets. Shrimp is also the product with the highest proportion (70%) of Vietnam's total seafood exports to the UK.

Vietnam's main shrimp export products to the UK include frozen peeled and tailed whiteleg shrimp, frozen PD whiteleg shrimp, frozen steamed and boiled whiteleg shrimp, fresh and frozen whiteleg shrimp, breaded whiteleg shrimp, etc.

In recent years, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the UK have been unstable, with irregular increases and decreases, but the UK is still considered an important market for Vietnamese shrimp with many incentives in bilateral trade relations between the two countries. During the period from 2018 to 2024, shrimp exports to the UK peaked in 2020 with more than 243 million USD, then exports tended to decrease gradually and dropped to the lowest level in 2023. In 2024, shrimp exports to the UK showed signs of recovery with more than 212 million USD.

Entering January 2025, shrimp exports to the UK continued to maintain the growth momentum of 2024.

Currently, Vietnam has participated in 2 new generation FTAs ​​with the UK, namely the CPTPP and UKVFTA. The combination of the content and approach of both agreements creates favorable conditions for businesses of the two countries to maximize trade and investment opportunities, including shrimp exports to the UK.

Shrimp accounts for about 10% of total seafood consumption in the UK market. For the restaurant or catering sector, shrimp is also a popular ingredient, with about 61% of these establishments in the UK. In addition, shrimp is also popular in Indian and Chinese restaurants, with rolls, soups, dumplings, steamed buns, etc.

In the UK market, Vietnam is still the largest source of shrimp. In the UK market, Vietnamese shrimp has to compete strongly on price with Indian and Ecuadorian shrimp.

With the tariff advantages from the two Agreements, Vietnamese shrimp has a competitive advantage over other trade competitors such as China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Brazil, etc. And to enjoy preferential tax rates as committed in the Agreements, Vietnamese seafood products must prove their origin, meet requirements on sustainability and social responsibility, etc.

British consumers always choose products with high standards issued by competent authorities in the UK and EU on product quality, origin, sustainability, environmental friendliness and convenience. Therefore, in order to increase the market share of seafood in general and shrimp in particular in the UK market, Vietnamese products need to meet requirements on quality, design, appearance and taste. Enterprises also need to invest in improving production capacity and quality management, carefully studying market regulations and standards.

Source: VASEP