The US was the primary consumer market for Vietnamese crab products in the first 4 months of the year, with turnover increasing by nearly 1.5 times over the same period.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), during the first 4 months of the year, Vietnamese crab exports to various markets reached nearly 23 million USD, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025.

In the US market alone, Vietnamese crab achieved a turnover of 19 million USD in the 4-month period, up 45% year-on-year. This market currently dominates the consumption of this commodity, accounting for up to 82% of the total turnover.

The US is inherently the largest crab importer in the world, particularly for frozen crab products, with an import value of approximately 1.1 billion USD annually. This level far outstrips the next markets, such as Japan, China, and South Korea.

Regarding the blue swimming crab group specifically, the US exerts a major influence on global demand and primarily imports from Asia. For Vietnam, American consumers "favor" crab meat and processed crab, especially products serving retail channels, restaurants, and convenience foods.

According to VASEP, Vietnam's crab fishery has been recognized as equivalent by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), thereby creating additional stable consumption space.

VASEP assessed that the reliance of crab products on the US market is not new. However, upcoming growth will depend more heavily on the capacity to control raw material sources, ensure traceability, and maintain sustainable harvesting standards.

The growth took place quite evenly month by month, serving as a positive signal against the backdrop where global seafood trade still faces pressures from costs, cautious purchasing power, and increasingly dense technical requirements.

Crab exports stand as a bright spot in a context where seafood products to the US in general are under pressure. According to the General Department of Customs, the turnover of seafood commodities to this market reached 702 million USD in the first 5 months of the year, a decrease of over 8% compared to the same period in 2025.

Source: VnExpress