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
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded strong growth, reaching USD 15 million, up 109% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, in the first three months of 2026, export value reached USD 38 million, an increase of 174% year-on-year. This result highlights the sector’s robust expansion and reflects rapid growth across multiple markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD 182 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, exports in the first three months of 2026 totaled USD 514 million, an increase of 17% year-on-year, indicating that the growth momentum is being maintained despite signs of slowdown in some markets during March.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
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