Vietnam mainly exports whiteleg shrimp to belgium

Belgium stayed as the 11th largest shrimp consumer in the world, accounting for about 3% of total shrimp imports worldwide. Demand for imported shrimp in Belgium remains quite stable, on average about 50 thousand MT per year. Belgium imports not only shrimp for domestic consumption but also for processing and re-exporting to the EU countries.

In the first 9 months of 2017, shrimp imports into Belgium reached 37,280 MT, worth by US$432.8 million; up 4.5% in volume and 4.8% in value over the same period in 2016.

In QIII/2017, shrimp imports into Belgium from the Netherlands took the biggest share of 22% of the total value of shrimp imports into the market. Bangladesh ranked the second with 21.7%; India ranked the third with 20%. Vietnam was the fourth largest shrimp supplier to Belgium, accounting for 13% in QIII/2017. Of the five main suppliers to Belgium in the first three quarters of 2017, only imports from the Netherlands decreased while those from the others increased.

On the Belgian market, Vietnam shrimp has to compete with Indian shrimp. The average import price of shrimp into Belgium quoted at US$12/kg and that from Vietnam was US$10/kg.

Frozen raw shrimp (HS code 030617) and prepared or preserved shrimp in airtight containers (HS code 160529) are two main products imported into Belgium. For processed shrimp (HS code 160529), imports of this item from Vietnam into the market were higher than those from India. For raw shrimp (HS code 030617), imports from India were higher than those from Vietnam.

For frozen raw shrimp (HS code 030617), Belgium imposed a tariff of 4.81% on India while Vietnam; The Netherlands and Bangladesh enjoyed the tax rate of 0%.

Belgium is always in the top three main shrimp importers of Vietnam in the EU, accounting for about 14% of the total value of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU and accounting for 3% of Vietnam shrimp exports to markets in 2017. In 2017, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to Belgium valued at over US$121 million; increased by 52% compared to 2016.

Belgium mainly imports whiteleg shrimp from Vietnam. Shipments of whiteleg shrimp picked up nearly 75% of Vietnam’s total shrimp export value to Belgium. In 2017, exports of whiteleg shrimp items to Belgium all showed the positive growth. Of that, exports of raw whiteleg shrimp (HS code 03) increased by 71%, those of processed whiteleg shrimp rose by 17%. Remarkably, in 2017, despite a low proportion, Vietnam’s processed black tiger shrimp exports to Belgium recorded the 3-digit growth of 604% compared with 2016.

Belgium is an important market in the EU for Vietnam seafood. Seafood imports, including shrimp, into the country remain quite stable as these products ensure hygiene and healthy nutrition. Besides, aquaculture and capture production in Belgium has not increased much in the past. Therefore, in the coming time, Belgium expected to be a stable buyer of Vietnam shrimp.