China spends US$506 million on Vietnamese lobster in five months

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said lobster continued to be a bright spot in Vietnam's shrimp export sector during the reviewed period, with shipments to China maintaining strong momentum.

Green lobster dominated exports to the Chinese market, accounting for US$503.9 million, or 99.53% of total lobster export value. Other lobster species generated US$2.4 million, representing 0.47% of the total, although their export value surged 345% from the same period last year.

Monthly data showed exports surged most sharply in February, hitting US$153.6 million, up 153% year on year. Shipments remained strong in the following months, totaling US$85.4 million in March, US$87.2 million in April and US$78.4 million in May.

Although May's figure was below the February peak, it was still 21.3% higher than a year earlier, indicating that demand in China had yet to show clear signs of easing after the peak consumption period at the beginning of the year.

Phung Thi Kim Thu, a VASEP expert, said demand for Vietnamese lobster in China stayed strong as Chinese consumers mainly buy lobster for restaurants, holiday banquets and gift-giving, with demand concentrated among higher-income consumers.

Vietnam also enjoys clear competitive advantages thanks to its proximity to China, shorter transport times, flexible supplies of live lobster and products that match Chinese consumer preferences. Small and medium-sized green lobster from Vietnam is also more price-competitive than supplies from more distant sources and is better suited to short-haul road and air transport.

Changes in China's sourcing patterns during 2025 also created opportunities for Vietnamese exporters. As traditional suppliers such as Canada, the US and Australia were affected by tariffs, trade disruptions and market adjustments, Vietnamese lobster was able to fill part of the resulting supply gap.

Lobster has become one of Vietnam's leading seafood export products. According to the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, the country's lobster farming industry has expanded rapidly since 2000.

Vietnam has more than 280,000 commercial lobster cages, with annual output exceeding 5,800 tonnes. Lobster farming is concentrated mainly in Dak Lak province, formerly Phu Yen province following Vietnam's administrative restructuring, and Khanh Hoa province, which together account for more than 95% of the country's lobster farming cages and output.

The nation has yet to develop hatchery-produced lobster seed and remains entirely dependent on wild-caught juveniles, a constraint that continues to hamper exports of ornate spiny lobster to China.

According to VASEP, Vietnam's lobster exports reached about US$858 million in 2025, more than tripling from the previous year. China made up about US$845 million of that total, representing virtually the entire export value of the sector. Demand for lobster in the Chinese market is expected to continue growing.

Although ornate spiny lobster accounts for lower production volumes than green lobster, it commands significantly higher prices. Strong Chinese demand has helped Vietnam become China's largest lobster supplier, with export volume exceeding 24,000 tonnes, holding about one-third of the market and nearly doubling from 2024.

Lobster exports to China post solid gain in January

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s lobster exports to China continued their upward trajectory in January, rising 6% year on year to US$100.2 million, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).