Unexpectedly, crab and mud crab exports reach record highs.

Exports of crabs, lobsters, and mud crabs in the first six months of this year reached over $173 million, a record high.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP), in the first six months of 2025, exports of crabs, lobsters, and mud crabs continued to grow, reaching over $173 million, a 38% increase compared to the same period in 2024; a record high in the past 10 years.

Three-spotted crab has become a new export product of Vietnam's fisheries industry.

PHOTO: GIA BACH

In the first six months of 2025, Vietnamese crab, lobster, and other crustacean products were exported to 25 markets worldwide. While lobster exports have decreased slightly in recent months, crab and mud crab products are experiencing higher growth rates compared to the same period last year.

Specifically, in the leading market of China, crab and lobster exports slowed down in the second quarter after strong growth in the first quarter. Conversely, in the Australian market, growth slowed in the first quarter but reversed to a high increase in the second quarter of 2025, with a 58% increase. Also in this quarter, the EU market achieved a growth rate of 71% compared to the same period in 2024.

Ca Mau crabs are making an increasingly important contribution to the value of seafood exports.

PHOTO: GIA BACH

In Vietnam, while crabs and lobsters have been popular export items for many years, three-spotted crabs are a relatively new product that has developed in recent years. Three-spotted crabs are found in many provinces of the Mekong Delta, but Ca Mau is the most famous.

Products made from the three-striped crab have been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.

PHOTO: GIA BACH

Three-spotted crabs can be prepared into many delicious dishes, the most popular being salted three-spotted crabs - a specialty of Ca Mau. In 2019, the craft of salting three-spotted crabs was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Some locals have invested in large-scale production of salted mud crabs, pre-mixed mud crabs, mud crabs with fish sauce, and mud crab stew, all of which have received OCOP 4-star certification. Each year, they supply several tens of tons to the market and earn profits of up to 1 billion VND.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bat-ngo-cua-ba-khia-xuat-khau-cao-ky-luc-185250813092846498.htm