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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
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