(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In April 2025, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi continued their strong recovery, reaching nearly USD 29 million—an increase of 33% compared to the same period in 2024. Cumulatively, in the first four months of 2025, export value for this product group exceeded USD 109 million, up 32% year-on-year.
Key markets such as South Korea, Thailand, China, and Japan all recorded solid growth, with increases ranging from 27% to 40%.
In addition, exporters have made effective inroads into new markets such as Russia, Spain, and the UK, indicating a trend toward expanding market share early in the year.
This growth is partly driven by evolving consumption habits. Modern consumers increasingly favor convenient, ready-to-eat products like imitation crab sticks and fish-based items made from surimi. These products are typically pre-cooked and require no further preparation, making them ideal for fast-paced lifestyles and quick meals.
Amid rising prices for seafood such as shrimp, crab, and fish—caused by overfishing, supply shortages, and environmental concerns—surimi is emerging as a more economical and sustainable option. For instance, the FAO Fish Price Index averaged 112.8 points in December 2024. This cost advantage makes surimi particularly appealing to budget-conscious consumers and the food service sector, especially in regions where seafood is a dietary staple but is becoming increasingly expensive. As a result, global demand for surimi and fish cake products is expected to continue rising.
However, opportunities often come with challenges
Currently, pollock production is on the rise in Russia and the U.S., which is likely to intensify competition in major markets. At the same time, Vietnamese producers and exporters of fish cakes and surimi are facing multiple difficulties. A shortage of raw materials has pushed up input prices, increasing production costs and making it harder for Vietnamese products to stay competitive. Meanwhile, issues related to the issuance of SC and CC certificates for seafood exports remain unresolved, with a backlog of applications hindering operations and export activities.
Vietnam currently has more than 50 companies exporting fish cakes and surimi. The top three exporters—Dalu Surimi, Kicoimex, and Khanh Hoang Seafood—account for 39% of the country’s total export value.
Despite these challenges, positive shifts in the market and consumer trends offer a promising outlook. Vietnamese surimi and fish cake exports are expected to continue gaining momentum in the coming months.