Vietnam’s scallop exports have entered a new growth cycle, posting triple-digit gains in early 2026 and reinforcing the country’s emerging role as a strategic processing and transshipment hub in the global scallop trade.
Data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) show export turnover reached nearly USD 66 million in 2025, up 49% from USD 44 million the previous year. While the absolute value remains modest compared with other bivalve segments, the growth trajectory signals accelerating integration into higher-value supply chains.
Momentum intensified at the start of 2026. In the first two months alone, scallop export value climbed to USD 18.1 million, soaring 166% year on year. The sharp increase suggests not only firm end-market demand but also expanded processing throughput tied to re-export flows.
Market composition in 2025 revealed a decisive pivot toward premium and re-export destinations. Japan emerged as both the fastest-growing and largest market, with imports reaching USD 14 million, up 173% year on year. The surge highlights deepening bilateral trade flows and Vietnam’s expanding role in handling scallop products linked to Japanese supply chains.
The United States remained a key outlet, purchasing nearly USD 13.8 million worth of scallops, up 10% year on year, reflecting relatively stable demand conditions. Hong Kong posted strong growth of 142% to almost USD 9 million, underscoring its continued function as a regional trading gateway.
Other markets registered even more pronounced increases. Exports to South Korea rose 334%, shipments to the United Arab Emirates jumped 314%, and sales to Canada expanded 167%, indicating widening geographic diversification.
The shift toward higher-value destinations has carried into 2026. During the first two months of the year, exports to Australia increased elevenfold, shipments to Japan rose nearly fivefold, Canada expanded almost twenty-fourfold, and exports to the US doubled compared with the same period last year.
Taken together, the figures underscore Vietnam’s rapidly strengthening position within the global scallop supply chain. Beyond volume growth, the data point to a structural evolution: the country is consolidating its function as a processing and transshipment node, particularly in trade flows connected to Japan, while simultaneously broadening its footprint across premium consumer markets.
VFM
