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
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
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