Crab exports gain momentum in US market
VOV.VN - Vietnam exported nearly US$19 million worth of crab to the US in the first four months of 2026, up 45% from a year earlier and representing nearly 82% of total export turnover of the product, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
The standout feature of Vietnam's crab export performance during the January-April period was the dominance of the US market. The country's crab fishery has recently been recognised by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States as comparable under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), providing greater stability and market access.
The US is a key export market for Vietnam’s crab meat and processed crab products, particularly those supplied to retail, foodservice and convenience food channels. However, it is also a market that is tightening requirements on traceability, harvesting standards and environmental responsibility.
Future growth will increasingly depend on the industry's ability to secure raw material supplies, strengthen traceability systems and maintain sustainable harvesting practices.
Overall, the country's crab exports brought back nearly US$23 million in the first four months of 2026, up 33% from the same period last year. Export growth stayed steady throughout the period, rising 17% in January, 58% in February, 33% in March and 39% in April.
The performance is a positive sign at a time when the global seafood trade continues to face pressure from rising costs, cautious consumer demand and increasingly stringent technical requirements.
Crab exports forecast to sustain growth in 2026
VOV.VN - Vietnam’s crab exports are expected to maintain growth in 2026, as the United States temporarily suspends its import ban, giving exporters time to standardise compliance documentation under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
