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.
(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
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