Opportunity to increase seafood exports
On August 24, the General Administration of Customs of China issued a ban with immediate effect on all seafood products imported from Japan, in order to prevent risks from "Japan discharges nuclear-contaminated wastewater" into the Pacific Ocean. Currently, China is Japan's largest seafood consumption market.
Since July, China has banned the import of food, especially seafood, from 10/47 provinces of Japan, including Fukushima, and strictly inspected documents related to food imported from the remaining prefectures. China has also publicly criticized the plan to release wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, Japan.
According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China, in the first 7 months of the year, China spent 320 million USD to import seafood from Japan, up 9% over the same period last year. Although Vietnam's market share in China is larger than Japan's (4.1% vs. 3.6%), it has declined from 10% last year, whereas Japan's share has risen from 1.5% to 3.6% this year.
The commodity that China imports the most from Japan is bivalve molluscs (eg clams, oysters) with an important turnover of 152 million USD, occupying about 50% of the total import turnover
China's ban on seafood imports has raised the question of whether Vietnam's seafood exports will benefit?
Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe, General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said that China's ban on Japanese seafood imports would have psychological effects. There is no scientific basis to confirm that wastewater release from Japan's nuclear power plants, even though it has been treated, is still harmful to human health.
"However, Chinese people's psychology may be hesitant to consume even domestically caught seafood in some waters near Japan. Therefore, China's demand for imported seafood will decrease from countries including Vietnam," said Mr. Hoe.
Not only in China, Mr. Hoe said that Korean people are also afraid to consume domestically caught seafood because some areas are close to the waste discharge area of Japan.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Sac, Chairwomen of VASEP, said this move from Japan makes customers from China and Korea reduce imports from this country. This means they will have to increase imports from other sources, which is obviously a market principle. China is a densely populated country, so when they have a shortage of seafood supply from a certain country, they are forced to switch to other sources such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia ... ".
However, not all seafood products of Vietnam will benefit and shrimp products are an example. According to Mr. Ho Quoc Luc, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sao Ta Food Joint Stock Company (Code: FMC), Japan does not export shrimp to China. Japan itself also has to import shrimp, especially highly processed, high value-added shrimp products from Vietnam and Thailand.
According to data from VASEP, in the first 7 months of this year, Vietnam's seafood export turnover reached 2 billion USD, down 15% over the same period last year. In which, China ranked 4th in seafood import markets of Vietnam with a turnover of 183 million USD, down 7% over the same period last year.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ca Mau province has achieved significant, comprehensive and substantive progress in combating IUU fishing in 2025, successfully fulfilling all tasks directed by the central government and strengthening fisheries governance. These efforts have established a solid foundation for the nationwide effort to lift the EC’s "yellow card" warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau has exceeded its 2025 production targets, reaching nearly 595,000 tons of shrimp. This milestone reinforces the province’s position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp producer and a bright spot in the country’s seafood sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, cumulative shrimp exports from the beginning of the year through November reached $4.3 billion, up 21% year-on-year, continuing to serve as the primary growth driver of the entire seafood sector. In November alone, export turnover amounted to $393 million, up 14%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, the fisheries sector continued to stand out as a bright spot in Ca Mau’s economic landscape, maintaining positive growth in both output and value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of November 2025, Vietnam’s total pangasius export turnover had exceeded the $2 billion threshold, registering a 9% compared with the same period in 2024. In November alone, pangasius exports reached $195 million, also posting a 9% increase year-on-year, underscoring a stable recovery trajectory for the sector in the final months of the year.
Building on over three decades of trusted leadership, VASEP is proactively shaping a Dynamic Knowledge Ecosystem where data is transformed into actionable value and forward-looking insights for the business community
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
(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.
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