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.
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The EU remains a critical market for Vietnamese shrimp; however, purchasing demand and import patterns are undergoing notable changes. According to Vietnam Customs data, as of September 15, 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU reached nearly $374 million, down 5% year-over-year and accounting for 10.7% of the country’s total shrimp export value. Meanwhile, the EU’s stotal shrimp imports through July 2026 contracted by 7% in volume, exhibiting divergent trends across Southern Europe, Northwestern Europe and Eastern Europe. These dynamics necessitate that Vietnamese enterprises closely monitor individualized market demand, rather than approaching the EU as a monolithic consumer block.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of surimi and fish cakes remained relatively stable year-over-year compared to 2025. Following a contraction in the initial months, export performance demonstrated improvement from June onward, peaking in August. However, the recovery has been uneven, characterized by divergent trends across major markets: robust growth was recorded in China, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, and Taiwan, whereas export volumes to South Korea, Indonesia, and select European markets contracted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains one of Dong Thap’s key aquaculture species, with the province focusing on developing an integrated value chain covering seed production, commercial farming, deep processing and by-product utilization. The province is promoting high-tech, circular pangasius farming models featuring reduced water exchange and enhanced biosecurity, aiming to improve production efficiency and strengthen control over raw material quality.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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