After a fairly clear upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: a strong surge at the beginning of the year, but a slowdown from March onwards. According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s clam export value in the first four months of 2026 reached over 38 million USD, an increase of 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
This development shows that the market still has purchasing power, but it is no longer as uniformly favorable as in the early part of the year. For export businesses, this is a noteworthy signal: Vietnamese clams still maintain their position in many key markets, but the pressure of market differentiation is becoming more apparent.
Europe remains the mainstay of Vietnam’s clam industry.
Looking at the market structure, Europe remains the leading region. In the first four months of 2026, Spain was the largest market for Vietnamese clams with $10 million, a 29% increase compared to the same period. Italy followed closely with $9 million, a 5% increase. Portugal reached $5 million, a slight decrease of 2%, but still remained among the largest importers.
In fact, this trend is quite consistent with the global market picture for clams and bivalve mollusks. The FAO reports that in 2025, market conditions for bivalve mollusks will generally be favorable in major markets; clams, in particular, will see strong demand, especially in Spain, France, and other EU countries, while supply will be pressured by climate, toxic algae, and other biological factors, keeping prices high.
Exports to the US increased, while exports to China stagnated.
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The opportunity lies in the niche market.
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