Vannamei Shrimp from Vietnam: How to Compare Supplier Quotes

Vannamei is Vietnam's main farmed shrimp, and the country's shrimp exports passed US$1 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 17.5% year on year, according to VASEP. With that many suppliers, buyers usually receive several prices for what looks like the same product. Most of the gap disappears once each quote is written against the same eight lines of spec. This guide sets out those lines. Our range is on the frozen vannamei shrimp from Vietnam page.

Which product form is being quoted?

Price follows how much of the shrimp is left and how much handwork went into it. The common forms, from least to most processed:

• HOSO: head-on, shell-on.
• HLSO: headless, shell-on.
• PUD: peeled, undeveined.
• PD: peeled and deveined, tail off.
• PDTO: peeled and deveined, tail on.
• Nobashi: peeled, deveined and stretched so the shrimp stays straight when cooked, mainly for tempura and sushi.
• Butterfly: cut along the back and opened flat, for breading and grilling.
• Cooked: any of the forms above, cooked and frozen, ready to thaw and serve.

TBESFOOD packs these forms to the buyer's specification, and nobashi and butterfly shrimp are OEM lines we ship regularly. The cooked range is covered in cooked vannamei shrimp specifications.

Is the count per kilo or per pound?

Count is the number of shrimp per unit of weight, and 21/25 per pound is a much larger shrimp than 21/25 per kilo. Check the unit, confirm that the count is measured on net weight, and agree how much size variation is allowed in a carton. Our guide to shrimp count sizes converts the common grades between kilos and pounds.

How much of the carton is shrimp?

Frozen shrimp carries an ice glaze to protect it. Ask whether the price is per kilo of net shrimp or of glazed product, and what the net weight percentage is. In the EU the declared net weight excludes the glaze (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex IX). On arrival, deglaze a sample and weigh it.

Is the shrimp treated or chemical-free?

Shrimp can be soaked in a water-retaining agent before freezing, or sold chemical-free. EU rules allow phosphates (E 338 to E 452) in frozen crustaceans up to 5,000 mg/kg, expressed as P2O5 (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II). Write the treatment into the contract, and if you buy chemical-free, ask for the test results.

How is it frozen and packed?

• Block frozen: shrimp frozen together in a block of water, usually the lowest cost per kilo, suited to processors who thaw the whole block.
• Semi-IQF: frozen in a block that breaks apart into individual pieces.
• IQF: each shrimp frozen separately, glazed and packed in bags, the usual choice for retail and foodservice.

Packing adds its own cost: inner bag or box size, master carton, printed bags and your own brand. For OEM orders, send artwork early so the printed packaging is ready for the production date.

Raw or cooked: which costs more?

Cooked shrimp costs more than raw shrimp of the same form and size. It loses weight in cooking, so more raw shrimp goes into each kilo, and it runs through a separate cooked line with its own controls.

How do you compare vannamei quotes like for like?

Put every quote on the same basis: the same form, count and unit, net weight, treatment, freezing method and pack, then add freight and insurance so all prices land at the same port on the same Incoterm. Check the shipment month and how long each price is valid. If a quote is still well below the others, ask for a pre-shipment sample and an independent check of net weight and count before you pay the balance.

FAQ

What is the difference between PD and PDTO?

Both are peeled and deveined. PD has the tail removed; PDTO keeps the last tail segment, which helps presentation and makes the shrimp easier to hold.

Can you pack under our own brand?

Yes. TBESFOOD packs OEM orders to the buyer's specification and label, including printed bags and cartons.

Does farmed vannamei from Vietnam need a catch certificate for the EU?

No. Farmed shrimp is outside the EU IUU catch certificate scheme. The approved establishment, health certificate and TRACES rules still apply, as set out in our guide to importing seafood from Vietnam into the EU.

How are vannamei count sizes written?

As a range of pieces per kilo or per pound, for example 26/30 or 31/40. The lower the numbers, the bigger the shrimp.