Vietnam is the third largest supplier of imported seafood to China.

In the first 8 months of 2024, China imported more than 2.8 million tons of seafood, worth nearly 11.4 billion USD, down nearly 6% in volume and 11% in value.

According to information from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), citing statistics from Chinese Customs, in the first 8 months of 2024, China imported more than 2.8 million tons aquatic products, reaching a value of nearly 11.4 billion USD. Compared to the same period last year, this figure decreased by nearly 6% in volume and 11% in turnover.

The five largest seafood supplying markets for China including: Ecuador, Russia, Vietnam, Canada and India. Of which, Vietnam holds the position of the third largest supplier of imported seafood to China.

Vietnam is the third largest supplier of imported seafood to China. Photo: TL

In terms of crab products, in the first 8 months of 2024, China imported about 86,700 tons of crab, with a total turnover of 1.3 billion USD, up 11% in volume and 10% in value over the same period last year. Of which, the amount of imported live crab alone reached 68,400 tons, bringing in a value of 1.14 billion USD.

In addition, lobster products also recorded growth with an increase of 15% in volume and 14% in value, equivalent to 37,000 tons and a value of more than one billion USD in the first 8 months of the year.

According to VASEP, although China is the world's leading seafood producer, output mainly comes from aquaculture. Limited domestic natural seafood has made Chinese consumers increasingly interested in fresh, high-quality, internationally recognized seafood products.

In terms of consumption preferences, people living in coastal cities in China tend to prefer fresh seafood more than consumers in inland areas. The majority of live seafood consumption occurs mainly in the hotel, restaurant and institutional (HRI) service sector. Popular places for consumers to enjoy imported seafood include restaurants in high-end hotels, specialty seafood restaurants and Cantonese restaurants.

For importers and distributors, seafood wholesale markets remain the main trading channel in China. A typical example is Beijing JingShen Seafood Market, considered the largest seafood market in northern China, supplying about 80% of the high-end seafood for the Beijing market, including imported products for the HRI and retail sectors.

Seafood importers at this market distribute their products to buyers and distributors in many major provinces and cities such as Beijing, Hebei, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning.

Source