The global shrimp market remains a dynamic landscape, with Week 13 of 2025 highlighting stark contrasts between two of Asia’s shrimp production powerhouses: India and Vietnam. As reported by Undercurrent News on March 25, 2025, farm-gate shrimp prices in India surged, driven by supply shortages and robust demand, while Vietnam faced a persistent decline, grappling with oversupply and weakening market conditions. These divergent trends underscore the complex interplay of local production dynamics, international trade pressures, and environmental factors shaping the shrimp industry.
India’s Shrimp Prices Soar Amid Shortages
In India, Week 13 marked a significant uptick in farm-gate prices for Penaeus vannamei shrimp, the dominant species in the country’s aquaculture sector. This increase comes as farmers report reduced harvests, attributed to a combination of disease challenges and adverse weather conditions earlier in the year. The supply shortage has tightened the market, pushing prices upward and offering a much-needed boost to Indian shrimp farmers after a challenging period of low prices in 2023 and early 2024.
Industry sources indicate that the price gains were particularly pronounced for larger shrimp sizes, which are in high demand in key export markets like the United States and the European Union. The average farm-gate price for 30-count vannamei shrimp reportedly rose by approximately 8-10% compared to the previous week, reflecting a strong buyer response to the constrained supply. Analysts suggest that this trend could persist into the second quarter of 2025 if production doesn’t rebound quickly, especially with India’s ongoing efforts to diversify its export portfolio into value-added products like cooked and breaded shrimp.
The resilience of India’s shrimp sector is notable, given its position as one of the world’s top producers. Despite a projected 12% contraction in vannamei output in 2023, the country has maintained steady export volumes, buoyed by growing Penaeus monodon (black tiger shrimp) production. The Week 13 price surge signals a potential recovery phase, offering hope to farmers who have weathered high input costs and disease outbreaks, such as Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) and White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), in recent years.
Vietnam’s Prices Slide Under Pressure
In contrast, Vietnam’s shrimp industry faced a continued downward spiral in Week 13, with farm-gate prices for vannamei shrimp dropping further. The decline, estimated at 5-7% week-on-week for key sizes like 40-count shrimp, reflects an oversupply in the domestic market and softening demand from major importers. Vietnamese farmers are reportedly harvesting earlier than planned to mitigate losses, flooding the market and exacerbating the price slump.
This downturn follows a difficult 2023, when Vietnam’s vannamei production is believed to have shrunk by up to 15%, according to the Global Seafood Alliance. While a recovery was anticipated in 2024, lingering challenges—such as high production costs, competition from cheaper Ecuadorian shrimp, and fluctuating export demand—have kept prices under pressure. The situation is compounded by Vietnam’s heavy reliance on exports to China and the United States, where buyers have been favoring more competitively priced alternatives.
Farmers in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s shrimp farming hub, are voicing concerns about profitability. With farm-gate prices dipping below production costs for many, some are opting to delay restocking ponds until market conditions improve. This cautious approach could lead to a supply reduction in the coming months, potentially stabilizing prices later in the year, though the immediate outlook remains bleak.
Broader Market Implications
The contrasting price trends in India and Vietnam highlight the fragmented nature of the global shrimp market in 2025. India’s gains are a boon for its farmers and exporters, potentially strengthening its position against competitors like Ecuador, which has dominated supply in recent years. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s struggles could cede further market share to rivals unless corrective measures—such as improved disease management or government support—reverse the tide.
Globally, shrimp demand is expected to recover unevenly in 2025, with early signs pointing to stabilization in output, as noted by S&P Global. However, the Week 13 data suggests that regional disparities will continue to shape price trajectories. For consumers, India’s rising prices may translate to higher costs for shrimp products, while Vietnam’s decline could offer short-term relief in markets reliant on its supply.
Conclusion
Week 13 of 2025 paints a tale of two shrimp industries: India riding a wave of price increases fueled by scarcity, and Vietnam battling a persistent downturn amid oversupply. As the year progresses, the ability of each country to adapt to production challenges and capitalize on shifting demand will determine their fortunes in the competitive global shrimp market. For now, India’s farmers celebrate a rare victory, while Vietnam’s industry searches for a path to recovery.