Why did Vietnamese snails suddenly become a 'hot commodity' in China?

In the first quarter of 2025, Vietnam witnessed a significant surge in shellfish exports to China, with a 109% increase from the previous year, reaching a value of 63 million USD. China and Hong Kong have emerged as the dominant markets, accounting for 37% of the total exports, a notable rise from 4% in the same period of the previous year. The exports to China included 16 million USD worth of live snails, 5 million USD of live clams, and 3 million USD of frozen scallops. This shift underscores China's growing preference for high-quality fresh and frozen seafood products. The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) emphasizes the importance for Vietnamese enterprises to invest in product quality, post-harvest preservation, and traceability to meet China's market standards. Additionally, strengthening logistics connections and leveraging new policies following a high-level visit between Vietnam and China are key strategies for expanding market share in China.