The US remains the key market but growth slows down
In the first nine months of 2025, crab exports to the US reached more than USD 46 million, accounting for nearly 81% of total export value, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. However, compared with the double-digit growth rate of the previous year, this increase shows that consumption in the US market is slowing down due to high prices, rising logistics costs, and abundant supply from Indonesia and the Philippines.
Nevertheless, the US remains the main market, especially for cooked crab meat and canned crab, which are favored by consumers in the restaurant and retail segments.
EU and CPTPP emerge as new bright spots
A notable highlight in the picture of Vietnam’s crab exports in 2025 is the strong recovery in the EU and CPTPP markets. Exports to the EU reached more than USD 2 million, up 161% compared to the same period last year; particularly, France more than doubled (+208%), becoming the largest crab import market of Vietnam within this bloc. Exports to the countries participating in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) also recorded an increase of 28%. Exports to markets such as the UK and Australia all showed positive signs. Especially, Australia surged by 280% in September 2025, reflecting strong demand for convenient processed crab products and high-quality frozen products.
Asian markets see strong fluctuations
In contrast with the upward trend in Europe, crab exports to China and Hong Kong dropped sharply by 55% and 7% respectively in the nine months. The main reasons came from weak purchasing power and stricter quarantine regulations after the Chinese domestic market had abundant supply from local catches. South Korea also recorded a decrease of 17%, reflecting the trend of dieting and substitution by domestic products or cheaper shrimp and fish.
Global crab market trends in 2025
In 2025, the global crab market witnesses prices remaining at high levels due to limited natural catches, rising logistics costs, while demand in the US, Japan, and China remains strong. Products such as snow crab, king crab, and blue swimming crab – which are mainly exported by Vietnam – all tend to maintain or slightly increase prices in Q4/2025. Importers are paying more attention to traceability, sustainability certification, and deep processing – a trend that many Vietnamese enterprises are shifting toward to meet market requirements.
Outlook for late 2025–2026: Expanding value-added products
With a stable recovery foundation, Vietnam’s crab exports in the last months of 2025 are expected to maintain a slight upward trend, thanks to high demand during the festive season in the US and Europe. In 2026, growth is forecast to reach 3–5%, if enterprises continue to diversify products and markets. However, changes in US trade policy may restrain shipments to this market and cause export revenue instability. To take advantage of this trend, Vietnamese enterprises need to: invest in deep-processed products (packed crab meat, canned crab, crab surimi); promote sustainability certification (MSC, FIP) to expand exports to the EU and Japan; and diversify markets to avoid excessive dependence on the US.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn
