White-leg shrimp were the top product, with exports exceeding $2 billion during the period, up 7.6%, according to customs data cited by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers.

Black tiger shrimp shipments rose 7.4% to nearly $318 million while other shrimp products generated $936.6 million, a 25% increase.

The association said that mainland China and Hong Kong remained the standout markets for Vietnamese shrimp.

Shipments to both markets totaled nearly $1.12 billion, up 35.9% year-on-year and accounting for 34.1% of total shrimp exports in the first eight months.

Of this, China accounted for more than $1.07 billion, a 38.2% jump, making it the main growth driver as exports to several other major markets faced difficulties.

Exports to the U.S. fell 11.7% year-on-year to $436.1 million while those bound for the EU totaled $355.3 million, down 3.6%.

Shipments to Japan grew 6.1% to $388.5 million and those to Australia and Canada increased by 18.2% and 6.5%, respectively. Exports to Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) member countries reached around $901 million, up 11%.

In August alone, shrimp exports were worth $478.5 million, up 4.2% from a year ago. Shipments to the U.S. and EU dropped 12.6% and 23.5% year-on-year, respectively, during the month.

The association said the figures highlight increasingly divergent trends across export markets, with Asia continuing to post healthy demand while the U.S. and EU remain affected by competition and trade-related factors.