Vietnam White Shrimp Falls, Black Tiger Shrimp Stays on High Platform

Recently, Vietnam shrimp market price trend differentiation is obvious.  Vietnam farmed white shrimp suffered a large decline in the 49th week, scattered processing demand and unpredictable market conditions, resulting in a price drop of 6 - 8% from the previous week's peak.  According to Tomota market data, the price of 20/kg white prawns on farms dropped from VND 223,250 to VND 210,000 (about USD 8.28/kg), and 30/kg from VND 186,250 to VND 172,600.  The prices of medium and small size white prawns also fell, such as 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 prawns/kg. 

However, industry insiders have optimistic expectations for the year-end white shrimp market.  Traders pointed out that white shrimp prices have risen steadily over the past two weeks, and overall prices are expected to remain high before the Lunar New Year.  Only during the factory holiday in the New Year, prices are likely to plunge sharply due to trading stagnation, but then gradually recover as the market recovers. 

On the other hand, black tiger shrimp, its price trend is rock solid and stable high.  The price of 20/kg is VND 205,000, 30/kg is VND 160,000, 40/kg is VND 145,000 and 50/kg is VND 125,000.  However, it is currently facing a bottleneck in supply. Due to the limited scope of extensive breeding areas, the purchase volume of raw black tiger shrimp from the processing plant was quite low at the beginning of this week. 

Looking ahead to December, the supply situation of Penaeus vannamei is difficult to reverse quickly, and its farm-gate prices, especially for 80 and larger products, are expected to remain high.  This price differentiation phenomenon in Vietnam shrimp market actually reflects the significant difference in supply and demand structure of different shrimp species.  White shrimp is affected by short-term fluctuations in processing links and markets, while black tiger shrimp occupies a high-priced position steadily by virtue of its relatively scarce supply and stable consumption demand.