The positive signals for the shrimp industry seem to be more focused on lobster products with sales upsurging from $46.6 million in the first half of 2023 to $126.7 million this year, an increase of 171%. 98% of this sales revenue came from live rock lobster (green lobster) products, and the main market was China.
Crab and swimming crab exports in the first half of this year saw the strongest breakthrough among the major products, increasing by 75% to reach $125 million. Of this, crab exports increased by nearly double to almost $93 million, and swimming crab exports increased by 33% to over $31 million. Specifically, live crab products exported brought in $54 million in revenue, nearly 8 times higher than the same period last year. China was also the main consumer market for Vietnam's live crab products.
In the overall picture of exports to the Chinese market in the first half of the year, fresh and live products were the highlights, contributing to the increase in seafood export value to this market. Accordingly, in the first 6 months of this year, seafood exports to China reached nearly $690 million, an increase of 8.4%. Of this, pangasius still accounted for the largest proportion, accounting for 35% with over $243 million, down 7.4% compared to the same period last year.
The second largest export item to the Chinese market in the first half of this year was lobster, with nearly $122 million, an increase of 174% and accounting for nearly 18% of the total seafood export value to this market. Exports of white-leg shrimp to China also decreased by 10% to only $117 million. Exports of giant tiger prawns also decreased by nearly 30% to $38.5 million.
Aside from shrimp and pangasius, many other marine finfish species exported to China also witnessed a decline in export value in the first 6 months of this year. Meanwhile, being one of the top 4 highest-value export items, live crab exports to China increased 12-fold, reaching $49 million.
Frozen seafood exports to China in the first half of the year were mostly down compared to the same period, due to lower prices, while live seafood products had better room for growth.
Besides lobster and live crab, there were also strong increases in live clams (mainly razor clams and flower clams) and live sea snails, up 280% and 282% respectively compared to the same period last year.
The frozen shrimp market in China is currently in a state of oversupply, as products from Ecuador are flooding the market and domestic farming output has reached high levels. In the first half of this year, China imported 436,000 tons of shrimp, with shrimp originating from Ecuador alone accounting for 330,000 tons, or 75% of the total.
Meanwhile, China's demand for salmon and lobster is expected to continue growing. As the world's leading consumer of seafood, Chinese consumers are increasingly preferring high-quality and value-added seafood products. There has been a shift from purchasing live seafood at traditional markets to buying live seafood through e-commerce channels. Among these, shrimp is the most popular seafood product purchased online by Chinese consumers.
Although the situation has gradually improved - with inflation and inventories both declining - the lingering effects are still impacting demand in import markets. Vietnamese seafood exports to major markets are facing price competition from other supplying countries, so the average export prices of key products like shrimp and tra fish remain low compared to 2023 and previous years.
As a result, total seafood exports in the first 6 months are recovering, but only saw a strong breakthrough in January (+64.5%), with modest increases in the following months.
For the second half of the year, Vietnam's seafood exports are forecast to return to a normal trajectory as before the COVID-19 period. Exports will increase compared to the first half, with orders expected to surge in Q3 to serve the year-end holiday season in the markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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