Vietnam’s clam and oyster exports to China have experienced a significant surge, surpassing US$2.7 million in value in the first five months of the year. This represents a remarkable 119-fold increase compared to the same period last year, according to data from Chinese customs provided by the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The market share of Vietnam for these shellfish in China has also seen a substantial growth, rising from 0.2% last year to 19.1% in May.
The increase in exports is not limited to clams and oysters, as there has been a notable rise in the export of other live, fresh, or chilled molluscs, with values exceeding US$5 million. This amount is almost 82 times higher than the figure from the corresponding period last year. Vietnam currently dedicates more than 41,500 hectares to mollusc aquaculture, primarily bivalves, producing around 265,000 tons annually, with clams accounting for 179,000 tons. This sector provides employment for approximately 200,000 workers.
In addition to China, exports of various molluscs, including clams, oysters, and scallops, to other countries have also increased, reaching nearly US$36 million in the first five months, an 8.2% rise from last year, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs. The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers attributes this growth to the growing demand for bivalve seafood, anticipating that this trend will continue as long as there is a steady supply of raw materials.
Moreover, Vietnam’s exports of lobsters to China have experienced a significant uptick in the first five months of the year. The exports of rock lobsters and other sea lobsters to China during this period were valued at US$79.6 million, marking a 32-fold increase from the previous year. The market share of Vietnamese rock lobsters in China has also surged from 1% to 25.3% of the total import value of this item into China this year. Additionally, exports of frozen rock lobsters have soared by 682%, totaling nearly US$3.4 million.
On the other hand, imports of certain seafood products such as frozen catfish fillets, dried fish, and frozen shrimp from Vietnam into China have witnessed a decline. Despite this, Vietnam ranked as the fourth-largest seafood supplier to China in May, with exports valued at US$91.1 million, an 18.2% increase from the previous year. Overall, Vietnam stood as the seventh largest seafood supplier to China in the first five months, with total exports exceeding US$365.5 million, marking a 9.7% increase from the same period last year. The market share for these products also rose from 4.1% to 5.1%.
The Agency of Foreign Trade highlights that the market share of many Vietnamese seafood products in China’s total imports surged in the first five months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, despite a decrease in value for certain items. The agency commended Vietnamese seafood for maintaining strong competitive capabilities in the Chinese market.