The global surimi market landscape in 2025
In 2025, the global fish cake and surimi market entered a clear recovery cycle following a period of tightened consumer spending. The main drivers came from the rising demand for convenient, affordable foods, particularly in Asia and through modern retail channels in the US and the EU.
Surimi benefits from being a reasonably priced protein source that is easy to process and suitable for ready-to-eat and convenience products. In the US, “imitation crab sticks” continued to gain strong traction in retail and online channels thanks to their competitive pricing and convenience.
In the EU, demand recovered with a preference for smaller-packaged, convenience-oriented products that help optimize household spending. Some market forecasts also indicate that the EU consumes a significant volume of surimi raw materials.
Vietnam accelerates exports, with strong growth in the EU
Thanks to these trends and the efforts of enterprises, 2025 was a positive year for Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi industry, with continuous growth recorded from the beginning of the year, although the growth rate showed signs of slowing toward year-end.
South Korea, Thailand, China, the EU and Japan were the five largest importers of Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi in 2025, accounting for over 81% of total export value. Among them, the EU stood out as the most notable market, with “late but rapid growth” accelerating strongly toward the end of the year.
Exports to the EU reached over USD 35 million, up 99% compared with 2024. Growth gained momentum in the final months of the year, at times reaching triple-digit rates. This performance is particularly significant as the EU imposes strict requirements on standards, documentation and traceability; meeting these requirements helps Vietnamese exporters raise overall quality benchmarks and expand into other demanding markets.
Alongside the EU, exports to the other four top markets also increased compared with 2024. Exports to China grew steadily throughout the year, reaching over USD 54 million, up 41%.
Meanwhile, South Korea remained the largest importer of Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi. However, exports to this market were relatively unstable, with declines recorded in several months. Total export value reached nearly USD 83 million, up only 5%.
Outlook for 2026
The global fish cake and surimi market is expected to continue growing in 2026, with demand remaining strong, especially in the convenience food segment. However, importers are likely to prioritize suppliers that ensure consistent quality, on-time delivery and complete, compliant documentation. The industry will continue to face cost pressures, while quota and seasonal factors may keep raw material prices high, particularly for whitefish surimi.
Demand for value-added products is expected to grow faster than for raw materials, especially items such as imitation crab sticks and seasoned fish cakes.
Market requirements related to labeling, additives, allergen information, traceability, factory standards and supply chain responsibility will become increasingly stringent, serving as decisive factors in securing orders in major markets such as the EU and the US.
Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are projected to maintain their growth momentum in 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After two consecutive years of decline, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports rebounded in 2025. Export turnover of this product group exceeded USD 344 million, up 15% year-on-year compared with 2024 and 13% higher than 2023, although still below the peak level recorded in 2022.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of 2025, Vietnam’s seafood industry had left a strong mark with export turnover reaching nearly $11.3 billion, up 12.4% year-on-year. This robust performance reflects not only a rebound in global consumption demand but also the agile adaptation of domestic firms in navigating increasingly stringent trade barriers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the 2025 review and 2026 outlook conference held by the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance on the afternoon of January 7, Vietnam’s seafood sector has set a total production target of over 10 million tons in 2026, representing a 0.6% increase year-on-year. Of this total, capture fisheries are projected at around 3.75 million tons (down 2.1%), while aquaculture output is expected to reach 6.25 million tonnes (up 2.2%) compared with 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sao Ta Food JSC (Fimex, Ticker: FMC) has announced its 2025 business results, reporting revenue of over $300 million (approximately 7.8 trillion VND), representing a 19.8% increase year-on-year; projected profit is expected to reach approximately 420 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s fisheries sector concluded 2025 with landmark achievements: export turnover reached a record high, despite heightened volatility in global trade and increasingly stringent barriers from major markets, most notably the United States. Amid a mix of opportunities and challenges, the fisheries sector also witnessed important policy shifts. Together, these developments form a multifaceted picture of an industry proactively adapting and restructuring toward a trajectory of sustainable development.
(seafoos.vasep.com.vn) According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long, the province’s shrimp farming area reached 69,800 hectares in 2025, including 7,500 hectares under high-tech farming models, 18,820 tons of black tiger shrimp and 293,000 tons of whiteleg shrimp.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Building on a robust growth momentum in 2025, Nghe An province has set a strategic goal to reach a total fisheries output of 270,000 tons by 2026, reinforcing its position as a key hub for aquaculture and exploitation.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho City statistics indicate that in 2025, following the merger of three former administrative entities - Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang - fisheries output in 2025 increased by 6.23% compared with 2024 with aquaculture production nearly 9.1 times higher than capture fisheries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ca Mau province has achieved significant, comprehensive and substantive progress in combating IUU fishing in 2025, successfully fulfilling all tasks directed by the central government and strengthening fisheries governance. These efforts have established a solid foundation for the nationwide effort to lift the EC’s "yellow card" warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau has exceeded its 2025 production targets, reaching nearly 595,000 tons of shrimp. This milestone reinforces the province’s position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp producer and a bright spot in the country’s seafood sector.
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