By the end of February 2024, lobster exports had reached nearly 30 million USD, an increase of 1,746% compared to 1.6 million USD in the same period last year. Of which, scalloped spiny lobster (panulirus homarus) exports accounted for more than 90% with 27.6 million USD, an increase of 80 times, followed by ornate spiny lobster reaching 2.15 million USD, an increase of 45 times over the same period.
China is still the largest import market for Vietnamese lobster products, with a value of nearly 29 million USD, 27 times higher than the same period last year. Since October 2023, China stopped importing Vietnamese ornate spiny lobsters because of regulations related to the country's Wildlife Protection Law. To export ornate spiny lobsters to China, businesses must prove that the shrimp seeds are not caught directly from the sea, demonstrate a clear farming process, and not use breeds exploited from the wild, meaning they must be F2 generation; importers must have a license...
On January 20, 2024, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam led the Ministry's delegation to work with the people's government of Guangdong Province (China) on trade and agricultural development cooperation. Karma. In related working contents, the two sides also agreed to coordinate to handle problems in the import and export of sturgeon and ornate spiny lobster under a special mechanism and include it in the Protocol between the two countries. While waiting for the signing of the Protocol, China will consider and create a special mechanism for establishments to register to export lobster to this country.
While waiting for this special mechanism, many ornate spiny lobster farmers have switched to raising scalloped spiny lobsters. Demand for scalloped spiny lobster from China is still quite high; farmers still export live scalloped spiny lobster to this market, while only a small portion of ornate spiny lobster is exported here as frozen products.
In addition to China, Vietnam also exports scalloped spiny lobster and ornate spiny lobster to Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, and crayfish to the US.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
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