According to information from Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), citing statistics from China Customs, in the first 8 months of 2024, China imported more than 2.8 million tonnes of seafood, 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 suppliers to China include: Ecuador, Russia, Vietnam, Canada and India. Of which, Vietnam holds position of the third largest seafood import supplier to China.
In terms of crab products, in the first 8 months of 2024, China imported about 86,700 tonnes 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, amount of imported live crab alone reached 68,400 tonnes, bringing 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 tonnes and a value of more than 1 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. The limited availability of domestic natural seafood has led to Chinese consumers increasingly interested in fresh, high-quality and 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. Majority of live seafood consumption occurs mainly in hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) service sector. Popular places where consumers often enjoy imported seafood include restaurants in high-end hotels, specialty seafood restaurants and Cantonese restaurants.
For importers and distributors, wholesale seafood markets still play a major role in China. A typical example is Beijing JingShen Seafood Market, considered the largest seafood market in northern China, supplying about 80% of high-end seafood to the Beijing market, including imported products for the HRI and retail sectors.
Seafood importers at this market distribute products to buyers and distributors in many major cities and provinces such as Beijing, Hebei, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn