Canadian seafood imports surge 40% as lobster, snow crab gain favor in Vietnam
Vietnam’s seafood imports from Canada have jumped nearly 40% over the past two years, fueled by rising demand for competitively priced lobster, snow crab and oysters.
In 2025, Canadian seafood imports to Vietnam surged by 40%, reaching $61 million, according to Vietnam Customs. This upward trend follows a 28.2% increase in the first eight months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Nova Scotia, Canada's leading seafood-exporting province, is capitalizing on this growing market. Lobster, the province's flagship product, now accounts for more than half of its total export value.
Despite a 19% decline in live lobster exports, Canadian lobster and snow crab are now widely available at Vietnamese seafood retailers.
Consumers are drawn to Canadian seafood due to its competitive prices and consistent quality. Canadian lobster weighing 500-600 grams sells for approximately $37-$38 per kilogram, while those weighing at least one kilogram cost around $38. This is significantly cheaper than Australian lobster, priced at about $35 per kilogram, and domestic green lobster, which sells for around $150 per kilogram. Canadian snow crab is priced at roughly $140-$150 per kilogram, roughly 30% less than other imported crab varieties.
Nova Scotia is now the seventh-largest seafood export market for Vietnam, with the province accounting for 29% of Canada's total seafood export value worldwide. Canadian seafood enjoys preferential tariffs, with Canadian lobsters meeting requirements of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership facing no import tariff.
Nova Scotia's deputy minister of agriculture and fisheries anticipates continued growth in Canadian seafood exports to Vietnam, with premium seafood products making up 29% of Canada's global seafood export value.
Written by urgent.news from VnExpress Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
