The top 4 single import markets include China, the US, Japan, and France, accounting for more than 91% of the total crab export value.
After a decline in 2021, Vietnam's crab exports to China and Hong Kong increased in the first 3 months of 2022 reaching more than 20 million USD, up 104% over the same period. The main reason is that Vietnam's seafood processing and exporting enterprises have adapted rather well to the market's "zero Covid" policy. This high growth has made China the largest crab import market from Vietnam.
Vietnam's crab exports to Japan are also continuing to grow this quarter. The value of crab exports to this market reached nearly 19 million USD, up 18% over the same period. Japan is currently the largest importer of Vietnamese crabs in the CPTPP. And also the country that maintained the continuous growth of crab imports in the first 3 months of 2022. Meanwhile, crab exports to Australia and Singapore had a continuous decline in this quarter.
For the EU market, Vietnam's crab exports also recovered after a decline last year. However, exports to markets in the bloc are not stable. France is currently the largest crab import market of Vietnam in this market block, reaching nearly 1.7 million USD, up 38%.
In the EU crab market, Vietnamese crab exporters have to compete with products from the UK, Norway, Madagascar, China, and Indonesia, including lobster and surimi.
Notably, Vietnam's crab exports to the US grew continuously in the first 3 months of 2022. Vietnam's crab export value to this market in the first quarter of 2022 reached nearly 19 million USD, up 78% over the same period. The US has fully reopened, which has helped increase demand for crabs. In addition, increased production costs and sea transportation costs have pushed up export prices.
Crab imports to the US in the first quarter of this year decreased, mainly due to the impact of the US government's ban on importing seafood including crabs from Russia. Russia accounts for 30% of total imports of snow crab and 90% of total imports of king crab from the US. Vietnam's crab exporters can also take advantage of this opportunity to maintain exports to the US. In the first three months of this year, the US reduced imports of frozen red king crab by 9% from Russia with 3,403 tons. In March this year, the US imported 257 tons of snow crab from Russia, worth $5.8 million, down 86% in volume and 84% in value compared to March last year.
Compiled by Minh Trang
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
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.
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