(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s exports of shelled mollusks recorded impressive growth in the first two months of 2025, reaching USD 41 million—an increase of 132% compared to the same period in 2024 (USD 18 million).
This strong performance continues the upward trajectory seen in 2024, when exports of shelled mollusks totaled USD 218 million, up 72% year-on-year. These figures reflect not only the growing global demand but also the improving production capacity and export competitiveness of Vietnam’s mollusk industry.
Clams remained the leading export product within the shelled mollusk category, earning more than USD 14 million—up 41% compared to USD 10 million in the same period of 2024. Vietnamese clams have demonstrated strong competitiveness in international markets.
Among other mollusk products, snails and scallops achieved remarkable growth. Snail exports surged by 673%, rising from USD 2 million in the first two months of 2024 to USD 14 million during the same period in 2025. Scallop exports also increased sharply by 479%, from USD 2 million to USD 10 million.
Mussels and basket clams also showed promising growth, with exports increasing by 128% and 65%, respectively. In contrast, oyster exports declined by 43%, from USD 3 million to USD 2 million. Abalone exports dropped dramatically to just USD 623, down 99% compared to the same period last year (USD 96,579).
Diverse product portfolio and expanding market reach
Vietnam’s mollusk exports comprise a wide range of value-added products that are well received by international markets, including IQF boiled clam meat, half-shell boiled clams, whole clams, frozen scallop adductor muscles, frozen ark clam meat, and canned clam meat.
Vietnamese shelled mollusks are exported to traditional markets such as China, the European Union, Japan, the United States, and South Korea. In recent years, Vietnamese enterprises have also been expanding into new territories including Eastern and Northern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North and South America, and other parts of Asia.
With the strong growth achieved in 2024 and the early months of 2025, Vietnam’s shelled mollusk exports show significant potential for breakthrough development throughout the remainder of the year.
However, the industry is currently facing several challenges. These include declining seed quality, overstocking beyond the planned farming zones, and environmental degradation in farming areas—all of which undermine the reliability of raw material supply.
To ensure sustainable development of the mollusk sector, supportive policy mechanisms in investment and credit access are urgently needed for organizations and individuals engaged in mollusk production, processing, and trade. Ensuring price stability and profitability for farmers, alongside the establishment and expansion of specialized, high-quality mollusk farming zones, is critical for long-term sectoral resilience and growth.
