China buys the most of Vietnam's 'rich seafood'

On October 2, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said that in the first 8 months of this year, lobster exports to the Chinese market reached 76 million USD, down 42% compared to the same period in 2022.

Trung Quốc mua nhiều nhất loại 'hải sản nhà giàu' của Việt Nam - Ảnh 1. — China is the largest export market for Vietnamese lobsters.

However, China is still the largest export market for Vietnamese lobsters, including rock lobsters, spiny lobsters, and green lobsters. Fresh lobsters are mainly exported to China through unofficial channels.

According to VASEP, in 2021, lobster exports from Vietnam to China almost "frozen" due to the Covid-19 epidemic, reaching only 31 million USD, down 80% compared to 2020. By 2022, lobster exports to this market grew dramatically, reaching over 257 million USD, up 8.3 times compared to 2021.

According to Chinese Customs data, in the first 7 months of this year, the country spent 962 million USD to import 32,358 tons of lobster, an increase of 19% in volume compared to the same period in 2022.

The countries that sell the most lobsters to China include Canada, the US, New Zealand, Cuba, India, Brazil, Mexico... Vietnam ranks 14th on this list.

In May 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approved the project on lobster farming and export until 2025 with the goal of having a lobster cage volume of about 1.6 million ^m3 , an onshore farming area of 180 hectares; a total output of 3,000 tons/year; and an export turnover value of 200 million USD/year (including on-site exports).

Recently, the Management Board of Mong Cai International Border Gate (Quang Ninh) said that since September 20, China has increased the frequency of inspections and restricted the import of fresh seafood at the Km3+4 opening (Hai Yen Ward, Mong Cai City, Quang Ninh). Tons of lobsters died while waiting for customs clearance, forcing businesses to sell them at a rescue price of 400,000 VND/kg, 1/3 of the market price.

Regarding this incident, the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) has sent a document to China, requesting to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese seafood products. Up to now, lobster export activities in Mong Cai City have returned to normal. At the above opening, 30 - 50 tons of lobster are exported to the Chinese market every day.

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