Export of cephalopod to major markets in November also grew well. Some markets have showed signs of recovery like South Korea, Japan, ASEAN, China, Taiwan and Israel, while exports to the EU and the US declined. As of the end of November 2018, the value of cephalopod exports to the main markets of Korea, Japan, ASEAN, EU, China, the US, Taiwan, Israel and Russia accounted for 98.4% of the total value. In the total export value of cephalopod of Vietnam, squid products still accounted for a higher proportion of 52.02%, with the rest being octopus.
South Korea
Cephalopod exports to Korea still maintained positive growth rate from the beginning of the year. As of the end of 11/2018, cephalopod export to this market reached US$239.6 million, up 20.8% compared to the same period in 2017. Korea is the largest market for octopus, and 2nd for squid. Fresh / frozen octopus is the most exported product in Vietnam's cephalopod products export structure to Korea, followed by dried squid and fresh / frozen squid respectively. With preferential export tax, it is forecasted that export of cephalopod to Korea will continue to increase.
Japan
After having declined in November, export of cephalopod to Japan has grown again in November this year. Export value to this market in November reached US$15.9 million, up 23%. Total export value as of November this year reached US$138.9 million, up 2.2% compared to the same period in 2017. Japan is at the forefront of importing squid in Vietnam, accounting for 51% of the total export value. However, this year the proportion of export value of squid products tended to decrease, while ones of octopus increased.
EU
Export of cephalopod to the EU continued to decrease, but the speed was not as strong as the previous months. Export value to EU in November decreased by 2.9% to over US$6 million. In this month, Vietnam cephalopod exports to 3 main import markets in the EU all fell while the exports to Spain dropped the most by 55.3%. Because cephalopod products are harvested with a small amount, it is difficult to meet the requirements of anti-IUU exploitation of EU, so it is expected that export to EU in the coming months will be reduced.
ASEAN
Exports of cephalopod to ASEAN in November increased by 9.6% compared to November 2017, reaching US$7.2 million, bringing the total export value in the first 11 months to US$76 million, up by 14.9% compared to the same period in 2017. The prosperity in cephalopod exports to this market is due to the export growth rate to Thailand in November, increasing by nearly 33%, reaching US$5.2 million.
ASEAN is the third largest importer of cephalopod in Vietnam, accounting for 12.5%. In the context of difficulty in exporting cephalopod, ASEAN continues to become a potential alternative export market.
In the product structure, squid remained as the main export product of Vietnam to ASEAN. The export value of squid products of Vietnam to ASEAN accounted for 97.3% of the total value of cephalopod exports to this market, while octopus products accounted for only 2.7%. Among the exported squid products to ASEAN, instant dried / baked squid products are the most popular in this market.
China & HK
In 11/2018, cephalopod exports to China followed the recovery trend of October. The value of cephalopod exports to this market in November reached US$3.4 million, up 44.5% compared to November 2017, bringing the total export value in the first 11 months to US$42.7 million, up 12.8% over the same period last year. The US-China trade war may make US cephalopod products exported to China subject to high tax rates, which will create opportunities for Vietnam in this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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