Canadian lobsters win over Vietnamese consumers with lower prices

Canadian lobsters have become increasingly popular among Vietnamese consumers due to their lower prices compared to other varieties. Hoa, a frequent seafood consumer in HCMC, recently switched to buying only Canadian lobsters, praising their freshness and affordability. Imported Canadian lobsters are priced between VND950,000 and VND1.1 million per kilogram, significantly cheaper than Australian lobsters at VND3.5 million per kilogram and Vietnamese spiny lobsters at nearly VND3 million.

The rise in imports can be attributed to the lower prices, with Vietnam importing $34 million worth of seafood from Canada in the first seven months of the year, a 42% increase from the same period last year. Lobsters account for 60-65% of the imported seafood value, according to Vietnam Customs. Hong, owner of a seafood store in HCMC, imports several hundred kilograms of Canadian lobsters each month, importing 30% more of them compared to other varieties due to their affordability.

The popularity of Canadian lobsters is growing as they become available in supermarkets, online, and restaurants, often combined with other seafood options. CEO of seafood chain Hai San Hoang Gia, Tran Van Truong, attributes the increased demand to the lower prices, noting that imports of Canadian lobsters have risen by double digits year-on-year.

The lobsters are in season from July to September, with a higher supply compared to Australian lobsters and a higher survival rate during transportation and storage. Import tariffs also contribute to the lower prices, with Canadian lobsters subject to a 0% tariff when imported into Vietnam. Canada is the world's largest lobster exporter, exporting 79,380 tons of lobsters worth $3.01 billion in 2025.