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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program is designed as a specialized B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers, providing opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood exporters, gain the latest market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A project titled "Sustainable Shrimp Industry Governance" has been launched in Ca Mau Province with the aim of supporting the transition of the province's shrimp industry toward higher quality, lower emissions, stronger governance capacity, improved supply chain traceability, and the development of a sustainable shrimp brand that meets the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Khanh Hoa Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and the Van Hung Public Service Center, recently organized a training course on disease-free golden pompano seed production. The program is part of a National Agricultural Extension Project aimed at developing industrial-scale seed production models to support sustainable marine aquaculture.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The application of high technology in shrimp farming is delivering positive results in the coastal areas of Vinh Long Province, contributing to improved production efficiency and creating significant potential for further industry expansion. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, the province is focusing on aquaculture zoning, infrastructure investment, and promoting modern, sustainable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Đồng Tháp Province has intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing by strengthening vessel monitoring, law enforcement and seafood traceability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood businesses need solutions to overcome bottlenecks such as labor shortages, difficulty accessing capital, high input costs, and administrative procedures in order to maintain production, adapt to market fluctuations, and effectively exploit export opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The FTA would widen access to markets with strong demand for premium food products in line with the country’s strategy of shifting exports towards increasing added value.
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