China drives growth, Japan slows, U.S. recovers from a low base
China has consistently accounted for the largest share of Vietnam’s crab exports, exceeding 50% over the past two years. This highlights the sector’s heavy dependence on Northeast Asia, especially China. In the first two months of 2026 alone, exports to China exceeded USD 36 million, representing 67% of total export value. Including Hong Kong, the combined share rises to 68%.
This shows that current growth is largely driven by nearby markets with fast consumption and strong absorption capacity, particularly China. Meanwhile, Japan remains the second-largest market, with over USD 12 million (22% share), but saw a 9% decline year-on-year. The U.S. reached nearly USD 4 million, accounting for almost 7%, with a sharp increase of nearly 194%, although its overall share remains relatively small.
What opportunities for crab exports in 2026?
From this structure, it is clear that crab exports in 2026 will likely continue to lean heavily toward nearby markets with strong demand and logistical advantages. This presents a significant opportunity for Vietnamese businesses, especially as China maintains solid demand for fresh and frozen seafood. In addition, markets such as the U.S., Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore are all experiencing positive growth, suggesting potential for expanding orders in niche segments.
However, crab exports in 2026 also face several challenges. First is the risk of overdependence on a single market. With China accounting for nearly 67% of total export value, any changes in import policies, consumer demand, or price competition could significantly impact the entire sector. Second, Japan’s slowdown reflects increasing competition and stricter quality requirements. Third, high-value markets such as the U.S. and the EU, while promising, require businesses to better meet standards on traceability, technical compliance, and supply consistency.
In 2026, Vietnam’s crab exports are likely to continue growing but with strong divergence across markets. China will remain the key driver; however, for sustainable growth, businesses cannot rely on a single outlet. Expanding into higher value-added markets, promoting processed products, and improving quality to meet specific market requirements will be crucial strategies.
Overall, Vietnam’s crab exports have had a favorable start in 2026. Nevertheless, to sustain growth throughout the year, the sector must both capitalize on opportunities in Asian markets and gradually reduce dependence on a few major markets, thereby enhancing stability and export value.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
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