From Capacity Expansion to Foundation Strengthening: Vietnam's Lobster Farming Industry Enters a New Development Stage

Since 2025, when Vietnam succeeded Canada as China's largest lobster supplier, the industry has entered a new development stage, and the challenges it faces are also evolving.

Export Growth

According to data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), lobster export revenue in the first half of 2026 is projected to reach USD 584.6 million, up 44.3% year-on-year. Approximately 98.5% of these exports went to China.

In the first six months of this year, China imported 15,364 tons of lobster from Vietnam, a 31.5% year-on-year increase, with import value growing 33.8% to USD 505.4 million.

In the first half of 2026, Canada exported 8,267 tons of lobster to China, down 15% year-on-year, while Australia ranked third with 4,032 tons.

Industry Conference in Nha Trang

On August 8, Vietnam's lobster industry held a major conference in Nha Trang. The discussion has shifted from expanding production capacity to strengthening the industry's foundation. Vietnam's Directorate of Fisheries, together with agricultural and environmental authorities, central and local government officials, researchers, industry associations, enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers participated in the conference.

The conference agenda reflected that as Vietnamese lobster achieves success in the Chinese market, the industry's challenges are also shifting. Vietnam needs to strengthen lobster seed supply and further improve aquaculture production systems. The conference discussed Indonesia's recently issued regulations on lobster seed exports, as well as the increasing responsibilities that farmers, enterprises, and regulators must bear as lobster farming expands.

Core Production Regions

Khanh Hoa Province and Dak Lak Province are the core regions for Vietnam's lobster industry expansion, together accounting for 95% of Vietnam's commercially farmed lobster production.

In the first half of 2026, Khanh Hoa Province deployed 137,136 lobster farming cages, with production reaching 10,270 tons. The main farming areas include Van Phong Bay, Nha Trang Bay, Cam Ranh Bay, and Phan Rang Bay. Given the scale of operations, managing the industry's next phase of development will be a priority, particularly regarding lobster seed supply.

Lobster Seed Supply Gap

Vietnam requires 100 to 120 million lobster seeds annually, but domestic capture can only meet approximately 10% of demand. This gap is especially pronounced in Khanh Hoa Province, which needs about 60 to 70 million seeds per year, making farmers highly dependent on imports.

Multiple Pressures

Additionally, rising costs of feed and other inputs represent another pressure on the industry. Meanwhile, disease risks and natural disasters caused by climate change, such as floods, are also intensifying industry pressures.

At the same time, export markets are imposing higher requirements on product quality, food safety, traceability, and environmental management, further increasing pressure on the aquaculture system.

Feed Research Advances

During the conference, researchers presented the latest research findings on formulated feed for Panulirus ornatus (ornate spiny lobster) and Panulirus homarus (scalloped spiny lobster), including evaluations of feed effects on growth performance, survival rates, and pellet stability.

Currently, Vietnam's lobster farming industry still primarily feeds small trash fish, but as farming scale expands, the adoption of formulated feed will be a long-term trend.

VASEP Recommendations

VASEP called for strengthening communication among farming areas, processing plants, and exporters, and promoting traceability systems in lobster farming to adapt to changes in overseas market regulatory policies. The industry should also strengthen market information collection, expand trade promotion, and build the "Vietnam Lobster" brand. Furthermore, VASEP urged the industry to address technical barriers to Panulirus homarus exports while maintaining the growth trend of Panulirus ornatus as the main species.