The first 11 months of 2025 saw positive growth signals for Vietnam’s crab industry, though the export landscape remains heavily concentrated on the U.S. market. According to Vietnam Customs, total crab export turnover rose 9% year-on-year. The U.S. alone accounted for nearly $67 million, a 15% increase. This overwhelming dominance highlights the U.S. market’s role as the industry’s primary engine, yet it also exposes Vietnamese exporters to "make-or-break" variables in 2026, particularly regarding shifts in U.S. policy and MMPA compliance.
The U.S. Remains the Engine - but Regulatory Risks Are Rising
In November 2025 alone, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 10 million, with the U.S. accounting for over 86% of export value - a 17% increase from the previous year.
Strong demand for pasteurized crab meat continues to be the key growth engine, as the market remains heavily dependent on imports. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. has imported approximately 62 million pounds of pasteurized crabmeat annually in recent years. A large share of these imports could be affected if MMPA restrictions are broadly enforced.
MMPA: Import Ban Risk from January 1, 2026 - and a Temporary Pause for Crab
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has determined that seafood products imported from fisheries that are not deemed “comparably effective” will be prohibited from entering the U.S. starting January 1, 2026.
NOAA has also emphasized the role of the Certification of Admissibility (COA) mechanism. Even if a shipment is not directly subject to a ban, products sharing the same Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code and country of origin with banned fisheries may be required to provide additional certification proving that they are not associated with prohibited fishing activities from January 1, 2026 onward. This requirement is expected to increase compliance costs and potentially delay customs clearance.
In a recent development, the U.S. Court of International Trade formally issued an order staying litigation between the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), several U.S. seafood companies, and the U.S. Government regarding the enforcement of the MMPA.
Under this order, the January 1, 2026 effective date of the import ban on crab products from Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka has been temporarily suspended, pending NOAA/NMFS’s completion of a reassessment of “comparability findings” - that is, an evaluation of whether exporting countries provide marine mammal protection measures comparable to those of the United States.
However, a temporary suspension does not eliminate risk. This period should be viewed as a critical window for exporters to complete documentation, strengthen compliance evidence, and standardize traceability systems.
The EU: A Bright Spot Demanding Higher Standards
While the U.S. dominates, the EU has emerged as a remarkable bright spot, with crab exports reaching nearly USD 3 million in the first 11 months of 2025, a 109% surge. Exports to France and Belgium increased dramatically, posting triple-digit growth of 121% and 952%, respectively.
By contrast, exports to CPTPP markets and China declined during the same period.
Across the global crab market, importers are increasingly prioritizing traceability, sustainability certifications (such as MSC and FIP), and value-added processing. This trend is pushing Vietnamese exporters to adapt more rapidly in terms of production processes, documentation, and compliance systems. Strategically, this shift also offers a pathway for Vietnam’s crab industry to reduce its dependence on policy fluctuations in any single market.
With current growth momentum, Vietnam’s crab exports are expected to maintain an upward trajectory in 2026, provided the U.S. continues to allow imports during NOAA/NMFS’s reassessment period and Vietnam moves swiftly to fully align its compliance framework with MMPA requirements.The EU is expected to remain a vital secondary pillar, though this growth is strictly contingent on meeting the "Green" entry requirements: Traceability – Sustainability – Deep Processing.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Brazil remains one of the key markets for Vietnamese pangasius in South America. However, exports to the market showed signs of slowing in the first half of 2026, while frozen pangasius fillets continued to account for the overwhelming majority of exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Marking 27 years of supporting Vietnam’s seafood industry, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (VIETFISH 2026) will officially return from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, on its largest scale ever. Under the core theme “Innovation – Sustainability,” the event promises to provide a comprehensive picture of the transformation of Vietnam’s seafood industry toward greater value addition and sustainable development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than three weeks remaining, the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme "Innovation – Sustainability," Vietfish 2026 will provide a comprehensive networking platform for seafood businesses, buyers, distributors, industry experts, government agencies, and domestic and international visitors.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the technical seminar “Green and Sustainable Technology Solutions for the Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Value Chain” will take place from 09:30 to 11:45 on August 20, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. The seminar is jointly organized by VASEP, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam, focusing on technological innovation and sustainable transformation across Vietnam’s seafood value chain.
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