China 'loves' blue lobsters, Vietnam earns more than 700 million USD

Chinese consumers are very fond of eating blue lobsters - a segment that Vietnam has abundant supply of. Thanks to that, in just 10 months, our country has earned more than 700 million USD.

Statistics from the Customs Department show that Vietnam's lobster exports continued to boom in October, reaching 93 million USD, up 75% over the same period last year. In the first 10 months of 2025, this "rich seafood" earned 712 million USD, a 135% increase over the same period in 2024 - a rare increase for a single seafood group.

Of which, green lobster still plays a key role, accounting for 98% of total export turnover, reaching 700 million USD and increasing 141% after 10 months.

China (including Hong Kong) remains the largest customer. In just 10 months, exports to this billion-people market reached 702 million USD, up 135% over the same period in 2024 and accounting for 98.6% of the industry's export turnover.

This is also the third consecutive year that lobster exports to the Chinese market have boomed. Previously, in 2023, the export turnover of this item to China reached 141 million USD and in 2024 increased to 404 million USD.

On the Chinese side, in the first 9 months of 2025, this market imported nearly 49,900 tons of lobster, an increase of 13%. However, imports from Canada decreased by 39%, imports from the US decreased by 10% due to increasing taxes and competitive pressure.

In contrast, Vietnam emerged as the biggest beneficiary as China ramped up its lobster purchases. The country imported more than 17,365 tons of Vietnamese lobster, nearly three times the same period last year and worth $556 million.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), tariffs are the deciding factor in making Vietnamese lobsters more competitive than Canadian and American products. In addition, the close geographical distance provides a major advantage in transporting live goods, helping to reduce loss and costs.

In particular, Chinese consumers are shifting strongly to blue lobsters - a segment that Vietnam has abundant supply of. This contributes to the sharp increase in Vietnam's lobster export turnover.

VASEP experts said that Vietnam’s lobster exports to China will continue to be favorable in the last months of the year and the preparation period for Lunar New Year. Demand in this market is forecast to remain high.

However, warnings from China about tightening testing procedures, along with higher traceability requirements, could create bottlenecks. If the new regulations are implemented vigorously, testing times are prolonged or costs increase, lobster exports could be immediately affected.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/trung-quoc-khoai-tom-hum-xanh-viet-nam-thu-hon-700-trieu-usd-2466729.html