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Vietnam Emerges as One of Asia’s Fastest Growing Markets for Norwegian Red King Crab

Vietnam’s culinary landscape has expanded rapidly, especially in the premium dining sector. This shift has created strong momentum for high quality imported ingredients. In recent years, Vietnam has become the second largest market in Asia for fresh Norwegian Red King Crab. The country’s growing demand reflects a clear preference for premium seafood with reliable origins. To support this trend, the Norwegian Seafood Council hosted a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City that gathered exporters, importers and experts from the restaurant and hospitality sectors to identify strategic directions for the product’s next stage of development.

Data from the Norwegian Seafood Council shows that Vietnam now accounts for twenty seven percent of Norway’s Red King Crab exports to Asia, reaching an estimated one hundred and ten tons in 2024. This growth places Vietnam ahead of long established markets such as South Korea and Japan, with only China ranking higher.

The expansion of Vietnam’s foodservice sector is the primary driver of this rise. Chefs and procurement teams are focusing on consistent product quality and trustworthy origin. Norwegian supply currently represents around forty one percent of the live king crab market in Vietnam, reflecting strong confidence in the product’s reliability.

During the seminar, industry experts discussed the market potential of fresh Norwegian Red King Crab and outlined practical strategies to strengthen market access. Key topics included logistics solutions for live seafood imports, improvements in distribution channels and efforts to address labeling inaccuracies through market education and consumer awareness.

Guests at the seminar attended live cooking demonstrations and experienced a tasting menu showcasing the versatility of fresh Norwegian Red King Crab. The product’s natural sweetness, firm texture and cold water origin have made it a preferred choice for premium restaurants and special occasions in Vietnam.

Åshild Nakken, the Norwegian Seafood Council’s Regional Director for Southeast Asia, emphasized that Norwegian Red King Crab aligns well with Vietnam’s festive season demand. The harvest period coincides with the time when families and businesses look for exceptional ingredients to celebrate meaningful relationships through shared meals and refined gifts.

Looking ahead, she stated that Vietnam’s position as the second largest market in Asia makes it a priority partner for the Norwegian Seafood Council. The Council will continue supporting the market with research, trade activities and educational programs to ensure that Vietnamese consumers can access high quality and safe seafood.

The Norwegian Seafood Council collaborates with Norway’s seafood and aquaculture industries to develop global markets through market insight, consumer research and promotional activities. Headquartered in Tromsø, the Council maintains a strong presence in Southeast Asia to meet the region’s growing demand for sustainable seafood.