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.
(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