Vietnam’s swimming crab exports in 2025 recover slowly but open new opportunities in the EU and CPTPP markets

US remains the key market but shows slower growth

During the first nine months of 2025, crab exports to the United States reached over USD 46 million, accounting for nearly 81% of total export value, up 5% year-on-year. However, compared to the double-digit growth recorded last year, this slower pace reflects weaker consumption in the US due to high prices, rising logistics costs, and ample supply from Indonesia and the Philippines.

Despite this slowdown, the US remains a strategic market, especially for cooked crab meat and canned swimming crab, which continue to be popular in the restaurant and retail sectors.

EU and CPTPP emerge as new growth drivers

A highlight of Vietnam’s swimming crab exports in 2025 is the strong recovery in the EU and CPTPP markets. Exports to the EU exceeded USD 2 million, up 161% compared to the same period last year; notably, France more than doubled (+208%), becoming Vietnam’s largest EU importer of swimming crab.

Exports to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) markets also rose by 28%, with the UK and Australia showing encouraging growth. Particularly, exports to Australia surged 280% in September 2025, reflecting robust demand for convenience processed crab and high-quality frozen products.

Asian markets experience sharp fluctuations

In contrast to the positive trends in Europe, exports to China and Hong Kong fell sharply by 55% and 7%, respectively, over the same period. The decline was mainly due to weak consumer demand and stricter quarantine measures, as domestic Chinese supply from wild catches increased.

South Korea also recorded a 17% drop, driven by changes in consumption patterns—more focus on diet trends and substitution with cheaper local seafood or shrimp and fish products.

Global swimming crab market trends in 2025

In 2025, the global crab market has seen persistently high prices due to limited natural catches and rising logistics costs, while demand in the US, Japan, and China remains strong.

Key crab species such as snow crab, king crab, and blue swimming crab—Vietnam’s main export types—are expected to maintain or slightly increase in price in Q4/2025.

Importers are increasingly emphasizing traceability, sustainability certifications (e.g. MSC, FIP), and value-added processing, trends that many Vietnamese exporters are now adapting to meet.

Outlook for late 2025–2026: Focus on value-added products

With a stable recovery base, Vietnam’s swimming crab exports are expected to maintain mild growth in the final months of 2025, driven by seasonal demand during the holiday period in the US and Europe.

For 2026, growth is projected at 3–5%, provided that exporters continue to diversify products and markets. However, US trade policy adjustments may pose challenges and cause fluctuations in export orders.

To seize these opportunities, Vietnamese exporters should: Invest in value-added products such as packaged cooked swimming crab meat, canned swimming crab, and swimming crab-based surimi; Strengthen sustainability certifications (MSC, FIP) to access EU and Japanese markets; Diversify export destinations to reduce dependence on the US market.