China: Fresh and live products account for 1/3 of imported seafood value

Export potentials 08:08 11/04/2023
(vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2023, China imported over 561 thousand tons of seafood, worth nearly 2.7 billion USD, down 3% over the same period last year. Of which, fresh/live/chilled seafood reached nearly 48 thousand tons, worth USD 887 million, accounting for 33% of the total value of seafood imports to this country.

China's seafood imports in January 2023 decreased by 19% over the same period because of  the Lunar New Year holiday. In February, the complete opening of the market after the Covid pandemic has helped import activities to be more active.

In February, China imported 307 thousand tons of seafood, worth 1.34 billion USD, up 32% in volume and 20% in value over the same period last year. Of which, fresh/live/chilled seafood products reached over 22,000 tons, worth US$405 million, up 19% and 9% respectively over the same period last year.

The main seafood imported as fresh/live/chilled products are: lobster, crab, salmon, black tiger shrimp, large white shrimp, eel, and abalone

The main seafood imported as fresh/live/chilled products are: lobster, crab, salmon, black tiger shrimp, large white shrimp, eel and abalone. These products are often used in  restaurant, hotel, tourism segments and consumption of high-income families in China. The demand for fresh/live seafood often increases during holidays, Tet, tourist seasons, etc.

In the first two months of this year, Vietnam's seafood exports to China reached $127 million, down 12% over the same period last year, mainly due to a sharp decline in January. In February, Vietnam's seafood exports to China reached over USD 102 million, up 24% compared to February 2022.

The popular Vietnamese products exported to China in the past 2 months include: frozen pangasius fillets, accounting for 41%, fresh/chilled pangasius (whole) accounting for 16%, dried fish (except pangasius, tuna, etc) accounted for 16%, live/fresh/chilled whiteleg shrimp accounted for 7%, live/fresh/chilled black tiger shrimp accounted for 6%, dried squid accounted for 6%. Exports of lobster to China decreased by 91%, only contributing for 1% of total seafood exports to China.

Pangasius is one of popular Vietnamese products exported to China 

Vietnam is currently the 7th largest seafood supplier for the Chinese market. Top 6 largest suppliers include: Ecuador, Russia, Canada, USA, India and Norway.

In terms of volume, Russia is exporting the most seafood to China (accounting for 23%) but in terms of value, Ecuador is leading with 19%.

Ecuador's shrimp exports to China in the first two months of this year reached over 95 thousand tons, worth 500 million USD. The volume increased by 18% over the same period, but the value decreased by 3%.

After Covid, China is gradually normalizing production, business and trade activities. China has set a target of 5% economic growth in 2023 with a strategy of further opening up to the world economy. The positive changes of the Chinese market are optimistic signals about the economic and consumption demand in this market.

Vietnamese seafood enterprises look forward to the recovery of  the Chinese market. It is forecasted that seafood exports to China will increase gradually in the coming months, for all product segments, and pangasius and fresh seafood species will still be in high demand.

Compiled by Thuy Linh 

 

imported seafoods into china

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

Creating momentum for double-digit growth

 |  08:45 30/07/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.

In the first six months of the year, Ha Tinh province earned over 1.2 trillion VND from seafood exploitation

 |  14:55 28/07/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.

Tuna exports in the first half of 2026: One month of strong growth is not enough to ease mounting pressure

 |  08:35 26/07/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.

Vietfish 2026 Domestic B2B Program: connecting supply and demand to bring high-quality Vietnamese seafood closer to local consumers

 |  15:24 24/07/2026

(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.

Vietfish 2026 Cooking Show: Telling the story of Vietnamese seafood through culinary experiences

 |  15:15 24/07/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.

Vietnam's pangasius exports reach USD 1.1 billion in the first half of 2026

 |  08:16 23/07/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.

Strengthen control over fishing vessels and trace the origin of harvested seafood.

 |  09:34 21/07/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.

Tilapia Exports Surge but Begin to Slow in June

 |  14:45 20/07/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.

Sa Giang Honored with "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" Certification

 |  14:48 18/07/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).

China has become the largest importer of Vietnamese seafood.

 |  12:47 17/07/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC