British lobsters and brown crabs make their way to Vietnam
Starting this April, Vietnam has officially begun importing lobsters and brown crabs from the UK, with the British seafood industry expecting to earn around USD 25.8 million over the next five years.
The UK’s seafood sector celebrated a major milestone as Vietnam granted approval for the import of fresh seafood, including lobsters and brown crabs, according to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Vietnam officially allows the import of British brown crab. Photo: The Fish Society.
This breakthrough follows extensive negotiations between DEFRA, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and Vietnamese authorities. Vietnam’s opening of its market to British fresh seafood is set to boost economic growth and strengthen trade ties between the two countries.
DEFRA reports that British seafood exports to Vietnam have shown strong momentum recently. In the first nine months of 2024, exports of fresh, frozen, and processed seafood to Vietnam surged by 40% compared to the same period in 2023.
The Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB) forecasts that tapping into the Vietnamese market could generate £20 million (approximately USD 25.8 million) for the UK’s seafood industry over the next five years.
Vietnam, meanwhile, is considered a promising market, with seafood consumption per capita among the highest in Southeast Asia, averaging around 37 kilograms per year.
According to Vietnam Customs, in 2024, the country imported roughly USD 34.5 million worth of fresh, frozen, and processed seafood from the UK, an increase of 11% over 2023. In the first two months of this year alone, imports grew by over 15%, reaching nearly USD 5.4 million.
Conversely, in 2024, Vietnam exported more than USD 311.4 million worth of seafood to the UK, up 8% from 2023. In the first two months of this year, the UK spent USD 41.5 million on Vietnamese seafood imports, an increase of nearly 12% compared to the same period last year.
Daniel Zeichner, UK DEFRA Minister, described Vietnam’s market opening as a significant victory for the country’s seafood sector.
“By securing access to Vietnam’s thriving fresh seafood market, we’re unlocking new opportunities for UK businesses and supporting jobs across the UK as part of our Plan for Change,” Zeichner emphasized.
David Jarrad, Chief Executive of SAGB, welcomed the expansion into Vietnam, noting it signals strong global demand for the UK’s high-quality live shellfish.
VFM
