China’s Strong Appetite for Vietnamese Lobsters
1. Over $1.3 Billion in Shrimp Exports
Vietnam’s shrimp exports recorded impressive growth in the first four months of 2025, reaching over $1.3 billion, a 34% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
China surged to become Vietnam’s largest shrimp export market, with a turnover of $389 million, doubling from the same period last year and accounting for nearly 30% of the country’s total shrimp export value. Notably, this rapid growth is primarily driven by a booming demand for lobsters – a premium product increasingly favored in the high-end consumption and gift-giving segments.
VASEP highlighted that China’s release of its Food and Nutrition Development Guidelines for 2025–2030 marks a pivotal shift, emphasizing the importance of protein intake and promoting seafood consumption through initiatives like school meal programs. This policy is expected to significantly boost demand for seafood in China, especially for high-value products like lobsters and premium shrimp varieties.
China is currently the world’s largest shrimp importer, with over 1.1 million tons in 2023 and over 1 million tons expected in 2024.
According to Ms. Kim Thu, a shrimp market expert at VASEP:
“Vietnamese shrimp has become one of the most popular seafood items on Chinese e-commerce platforms. Consumers in wealthy cities like Beijing and Shanghai tend to prefer imported shrimp over domestic alternatives.”
Vietnam’s competitive edge in the Chinese market is further strengthened by declining local supply due to adverse weather conditions. The shortage has driven up domestic shrimp prices in China:
In Guangdong, prices for size 60 pcs/kg shrimp rose from 31 CNY/kg in January to 40 CNY/kg in just ten weeks.
In Jiangsu, prices doubled from 27 CNY/kg to 56 CNY/kg.
This price hike creates a significant competitive advantage for imported shrimp, including those from Vietnam.
2. Global Markets Show Signs of Recovery
United States: Shrimp exports to the U.S. reached $193 million, up 15%, with April alone up 25%, as exporters took advantage of the temporary suspension of U.S. countervailing duties.
European Union (EU): Brought in $152 million, up 28%, accounting for 11.7% of total exports. Stable home consumption demand, relatively insulated from global economic volatility, supports continued growth.
The Seafood Expo held in May, featuring 28 Vietnamese companies, also boosted trade promotion. Amid uncertainties in the U.S. market, the EU remains a strategic pillar, especially as Vietnam continues to leverage tariff advantages under the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
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Japan: Exports totaled $169 million, up 20%. Though a traditional market, Japan is becoming increasingly competitive, prompting Vietnamese exporters to refresh their approach, focusing on value-added products, “Japan-standard” lines, and enhancing brand image.
Strategic Outlook for Vietnamese Shrimp
While Vietnam’s shrimp export performance has shown signs of recovery in early 2025, long-term prospects remain uncertain. VASEP emphasized that market restructuring, product diversification, and value-added innovations, along with effective utilization of free trade agreements, are critical for sustainable growth.
Vietnam has set a 2025 export target of $4 – $4.3 billion. VASEP is optimistic that growth will be fueled by strategic production adjustments and expansion into promising markets such as Australia, the Middle East, the UK, and South Korea.
Vietnam’s Lobster Farming Sector
In 2024, Vietnam had approximately 280,500 lobster cages, yielding over 5,870 tons, with an estimated export value of $430 million. Lobster farming is concentrated in the South Central Coast, particularly in Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces, which are the two largest lobster-producing regions in the country.
Source: thuysan247.com
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Ngày đăng : 17/06/2025
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