Vietnam earns nearly USD 16 million from live sweet snails exported to China in Q1 2025
Vietnam’s mollusk exports surged in the first quarter of 2025, with China emerging as the largest buyer of Vietnamese shelled mollusks.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the total export value of shelled mollusks reached over USD 63 million in Q1 an impressive 109% increase year-on-year. Of that, China and Hong Kong accounted for more than USD 23 million, a nearly 2,000% spike compared to the same period last year.
Live sweet nsnails were the standout product, generating close to USD 16 million in export revenue, followed by live clams at USD 5 million and frozen scallops at USD 3 million. This shift propelled China and Hong Kong from holding just 4% of Vietnam’s mollusk export share in Q1 2024 to 37% in Q1 2025, leapfrogging traditional markets like the EU (USD 18 million) and the U.S. (just over USD 6 million).
While the EU remains a key market, increased competition and tighter import standards have made China a more strategic destination. Its massive consumer base, coupled with more flexible import requirements and diverse retail distribution, from supermarkets to wet markets, makes it highly attractive for Vietnamese exporters.
The export boom also coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Vietnam in April 2025, which yielded stronger trade commitments between the two countries, particularly in the agriculture and aquaculture sectors. Agreements to streamline customs clearance and expand “green lanes” for fresh Vietnamese produce are expected to reduce logistics costs and shorten delivery times.
VASEP notes that to capitalize on this momentum, Vietnamese seafood exporters must prioritize product quality, post-harvest handling, and robust traceability systems. Standardized farming protocols and strict quarantine compliance will also be key to maintaining access to this demanding market.
Additionally, Vietnamese firms are encouraged to strengthen partnerships with logistics providers and border trade networks to improve delivery efficiency. “Leveraging the new bilateral agreements reached during the recent high-level talks will give Vietnamese businesses a pricing and market access advantage in one of Asia’s most promising markets,” VASEP stated.
VFM
