AsemconnectVietnam - Vietnam's crab exports in the first 11 months of 2025 reached US$81 million, with the US accounting for over 82%.

New reciprocal tariffs and regulations implementing the provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) pose a significant challenge for Vietnam, but the EU is opening up opportunities for growth.
In the first 11 months of 2025, Vietnam's crab exports showed signs of growth, but the overall picture still shows a very high concentration on the US market. Statistics from Vietnam Customs showed that crab export value in the first 11 months of 2025 increased by 9% compared to the same period in 2024. The US market alone reached nearly US$67 million, an increase of 15% compared to the same period. This overwhelming proportion shows that the US is dominating Vietnam's crab exports, but at the same time, it also puts the Vietnamese crab industry at risk if the US changes its policies, for example, the MMPA regulations, which will become a crucial variable for the period up to 2026.
The US remained the "driving force," but regulatory risks are increasing
In November of 2025 alone, Vietnam’s total crab exports reached nearly $10 million, with the US accounting for over 86% of the value, a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The demand in the US, especially for pasteurized crab meat products, continues to be a key driver, as this market is heavily dependent on imported supplies. According to statistics from the US Department of Agriculture, in recent years the country has imported approximately 62 million pounds of pasteurized crab meat annually, and a large portion of these imports into the US could be affected if MMPA restrictions are widely implemented.
CK
Source: VITIC/vasep.com.vn