The Oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense) is a freshwater prawn species native to East and Southeast Asia, thriving in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Known for its culinary value and adaptability to aquaculture, this prawn is widely harvested both from the wild and through farming. The leading countries in Oriental river prawn fishing and aquaculture are China, Taiwan, Japan, and Vietnam. China dominates the industry, accounting for the majority of both wild catch and farmed production, thanks to its extensive inland water resources and advanced aquaculture techniques. Taiwan and Japan also have well-established prawn farming sectors, while Vietnam has increased its production in recent years, benefiting from favorable climatic conditions and growing export demand. The Oriental river prawn industry supports local economies, provides employment, and supplies both domestic and international seafood markets.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 47,972 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.