In the first half of 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports faced numerous challenges, from price competition among leading shrimp producing and exporting countries to rising production costs and a sharp decline in the US market. Against this backdrop, lobster exports continued to be a bright spot, especially exports to the Chinese market.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP), in the first five months of 2026, lobster exports to China reached over $506 million, an increase of 44.3% compared to the same period in 2025. Lobster accounted for more than 71% of the total shrimp export value to China in those five months.
The success of lobster exports to China in the first half of this year is largely based on the anticipated surge in growth in 2025.
In 2025, Vietnam's lobster exports to China achieved triple-digit growth, reaching a record high of $845 million. The Chinese market accounted for almost all of Vietnam's lobster export revenue to all markets ($858 million).
With this explosive growth, lobster has become the main driver helping Vietnam's shrimp exports to China and Hong Kong reach a record high of over $1.2 billion in 2025, a 55% increase compared to 2024. As a result, China continues to be the largest market for Vietnamese shrimp for two consecutive years (2024 and 2025).
With double-digit growth in the first five months of the year, China will continue to be the number one destination for Vietnamese lobster in 2025. Demand for seafood in China remains high, especially for fresh and premium seafood products, including lobster.
In China, lobster is consumed in restaurants, hotels, at banquets, or given as high-value gifts.
Currently, the main suppliers of lobster to China are Vietnam, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and others. Compared to other lobster exporting countries to China, Vietnam has a significant geographical advantage. Sharing a border with China allows for the faster and more flexible transportation of live lobsters from Vietnam to this market compared to other sources.
In particular, Vietnamese green lobsters, with their small to medium size and competitive price, can turn red during cooking, making them very suitable for the needs and tastes of Chinese consumers (who prefer red-colored food). This is also currently the main type of lobster exported to the Chinese market.
Lobster exports to China continue to grow at a high rate, playing a crucial role in maintaining double-digit growth in overall shrimp exports to this market. In the first five months of this year, shrimp exports to China and Hong Kong reached over $711 million, a 46% increase compared to the same period in 2015 and accounting for nearly 38% of the country's total shrimp export value.
According to Ms. Le Hang, Deputy General Secretary of VASEP, the demand for fresh seafood in the Chinese market is very high, especially for seafood such as lobster, clams, and abalone... Therefore, lobster exports to China in 2026 could reach 1 billion USD.
Despite facing fierce competition from other suppliers, Vietnam's lobster exports to China still have promising growth prospects in the coming period.
First of all, China's demand for lobster imports continues to trend upwards. In 2017, China's lobster import value was $1.2 billion, and by 2025 it is expected to reach nearly $3.9 billion. With this figure, China is the world's largest lobster import market and is leading the global lobster market.
A particularly noteworthy characteristic of the Chinese market is its preference for live lobsters over frozen or processed lobsters. This factor will continue to be a significant advantage for Vietnamese lobsters due to short shipping times, flexible supply of fresh products, and products that suit the tastes of the Chinese market.
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Brazil remains one of the key markets for Vietnamese pangasius in South America. However, exports to the market showed signs of slowing in the first half of 2026, while frozen pangasius fillets continued to account for the overwhelming majority of exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Marking 27 years of supporting Vietnam’s seafood industry, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (VIETFISH 2026) will officially return from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, on its largest scale ever. Under the core theme “Innovation – Sustainability,” the event promises to provide a comprehensive picture of the transformation of Vietnam’s seafood industry toward greater value addition and sustainable development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than three weeks remaining, the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme "Innovation – Sustainability," Vietfish 2026 will provide a comprehensive networking platform for seafood businesses, buyers, distributors, industry experts, government agencies, and domestic and international visitors.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the technical seminar “Green and Sustainable Technology Solutions for the Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Value Chain” will take place from 09:30 to 11:45 on August 20, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. The seminar is jointly organized by VASEP, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam, focusing on technological innovation and sustainable transformation across Vietnam’s seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Market fluctuations, rising production costs, and increasingly stringent requirements from export markets are placing growing pressure on the shrimp industry. In response, Vinh Long Province is promoting high-tech shrimp farming integrated with production–consumption value chains to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and enhance the industry's value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports to Japan posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, while a promising new trend has emerged in the value-added product segment. Notably, Vietnamese tilapia fillets have been exported to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, creating new opportunities to enhance the value of the industry in one of the world's most demanding seafood markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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