China’s shrimp export sector recorded a strong recovery in April 2026, with monthly shipments exceeding pre-Chinese New Year levels and signaling an earlier-than-expected return of overseas demand.
According to the latest customs data, China exported 11,403 tons of shrimp from January to April 2026, valued at US$113 million, with an average export price of US$9.89 per kilogram. During the same period, warm-water shrimp exports reached 14,707 tons, with shrimp products accounting for 77.5% of total export volume.
The strongest signal came from April, when shrimp exports reached 3,782 tons, the highest monthly volume of the year and significantly above January’s pre-holiday level of 3,191 tons. Export value also climbed to US$37.03 million, surpassing both January and March and marking the strongest monthly performance of 2026 so far.
The recovery is notable because China’s seafood processing sector typically requires several months after the Spring Festival to fully restore production and export momentum. In many years, factories do not see orders and operating rates return to normal until May or later. This year, however, export volumes had already exceeded pre-holiday levels by April, suggesting that international demand recovered earlier than expected.
Despite the increase in export volume, prices remained relatively stable. Average export prices fluctuated around US$10/kg throughout the first four months of the year, ranging from US$9.74/kg to US$10.13/kg. This indicates that the market absorbed higher shipment volumes without generating significant upward price pressure.
Spain and Japan Lead Import Demand
Spain and Japan emerged as China’s largest shrimp export destinations during the first four months of 2026.
Export volumes included:
- Spain: 2,487 tons
- Japan: 2,472 tons
- United States: 1,804 tons
- South Korea: 1,799 tons
- Hong Kong: 1,113 tons
- Portugal: 734 tons
The close volumes among the leading markets highlight the increasingly diversified nature of China’s shrimp export business.
Regional production hubs have also developed distinct market specializations. Many processing companies in Zhejiang have focused heavily on European customers, supplying retail and foodservice channels in Spain and Portugal. Shandong processors continue to rely strongly on Japan, where buyers maintain strict requirements for processing standards, product specifications, and quality control. Meanwhile, exporters in Fujian are primarily oriented toward the United States and South Korea.
Zhejiang Remains China’s Largest Shrimp Export Province
Provincial export data further illustrates the concentration of China’s shrimp processing industry.
From January to April:
- Zhejiang exported 5,344 tons (46.9% of national exports)
- Fujian exported 2,652 tons (23.3%)
- Guangdong exported 1,474 tons
- Shandong exported 1,339 tons
Together, these four provinces accounted for nearly 95% of China’s total shrimp exports during the period.
This concentration reflects the importance of established processing infrastructure, export networks, and customer relationships in maintaining China’s competitiveness in global shrimp markets.
Shrimp Meat Continues to Outperform Whole Shrimp Exports
One of the most important structural trends in China’s shrimp export industry is the growing dominance of value-added shrimp meat products.
During the first four months of 2026, shrimp meat exports reached 11,403 tons, while whole shell-on shrimp exports totaled only 3,304 tons.
The value difference is even more significant:
- Shrimp meat average export price: US$9.89/kg
- Whole shrimp average export price: US$5.78/kg
Shrimp meat products generated prices nearly 1.7 times higher than shell-on shrimp and delivered substantially greater export value.
April’s export figures further highlight this trend. Shrimp meat exports reached 3,782 tons, compared with only 970 tons of whole shrimp exports during the same month. While shell-on shrimp shipments remained relatively stable throughout the year, typically ranging between 900 and 1,100 tons per month, shrimp meat exports surged sharply after February’s holiday slowdown.
Market Outlook: Value-Added Processing Drives Export Growth
The latest trade figures suggest that China’s shrimp export industry is entering a stronger growth phase in 2026. Early recovery in overseas demand, stable export pricing, and continued expansion of value-added shrimp products are supporting export performance despite challenging global market conditions.
Looking ahead, shrimp meat products are likely to remain the primary growth driver for China’s seafood export sector. As buyers increasingly seek processed, ready-to-use products, Chinese processors with strong value-added capabilities may be better positioned to capture higher margins and expand market share in Europe, North America, and Asia.
The April data indicates that China’s shrimp export industry is not only recovering from the seasonal slowdown but also continuing its longer-term transition toward higher-value seafood products and more diversified international markets.
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