In June 2020, among the main importers, Vietnam's cephalopod exports recorded positive growth in many markets such as South Korea, ASEAN, China, the US, Taiwan, and Israel. Export to Japan and the EU still has not increased. Of the total cephalopod export structure of Vietnam, squid accounted for 55.1%, octopus made up for 44.9%.
South Korea was still the largest importer of Vietnamese cephalopod, accounting for 42.5% of the total export value of this item of Vietnam to markets. Vietnam's cephalopod exports to South Korea jumped by 23.5% in June 2020. However, due to a decrease in the previous months, the export of cephalopod to this market still diminished by 15% in the first 6 months of this year reaching over US$ 102 million.
Japan ranked second in import cephalopod of Vietnam, accounting for 24.4%. Vietnamese cephalopod exports to Japan in the first 6 months of 2020 reached US$ 58.6 million, down 21% compared to the same period in 2019. Vietnam mainly exports to Japan products such as frozen cuttlefish, frozen squid, frozen sushi squid, frozen Geso squid, Sugata frozen squid, Marusaki frozen squid slices, frozen pine cut squid, frozen breaded octopus, frozen octopus surimi, frozen processed octopus…
According to the International Trade Center (ITC), in the first 5 months of 2020, Japan's cephalopod imports reached US$ 146.9 million, down 4.4% compared to the same period in 2019. Japan imported cephalopod from 11 supplies. China, Vietnam, and Thailand were the three largest suppliers, accounting for 81%, 9.5%, and 4.8% of the total import value of Japanese cephalopod respectively.
Japan imports mainly products such as processed squid (except for CO), processed octopus (except for CO), fresh squid, smoked/frozen/ dried/salted octopus. Processed squid (except for CO) accounted for the highest proportion in the total structure of cephalopod products imported into Japan. In the first five months of 2020, imports of live/fresh squid into Japan soared by 162% to US$ 18.5 million.
Vietnam's cephalopod exports to the EU in the first 6 months of 2020 reached US$ 17.5 million, down 45.7% compared to the same period in 2019. Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands were the largest importers for cephalopod of Vietnam. As of June 2020, cephalopod exports to Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands shrunk by 51%, 28%, and 37%, respectively.
Cephalopod exports to the EU were still affected by the IUU yellow card. Besides, the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic caused restaurants to close resulting in a decline in the demand for squid and octopus consumption in the foodservice sector. Cephalopod exports to the EU in the last months of the year are expected to be positive as when the EVFTA Agreement takes effect from August 1, 2020, processed squid and octopus will enjoy a tax of 0%.
China was the fourth-largest importer of Vietnamese cephalopod, accounting for 7.4% of the total proportion. Cephalopod exports to China in June 2020 soared by 156% to over US$ 4 million. In the first 6 months, cephalopod exports to China reached US$ 17.8 million, up 54% over the same period in 2019. China was the market with the strongest growth rate of cephalopod imports from Vietnam in June and the first 6 months of 2020.
Vietnam's cephalopod exports to China fell in the first two months of 2020, then recovered again in the following month. Since March 2020, the Covid-19 epidemic in China has eased, other countries such as the United States, the EU, and Japan have gradually relaxed measures to quarantine and prevent the disease, therefore China's demand for cephalopod imports has recovered.
China imports mainly from Vietnam products such as frozen whole cuttlefish, frozen squid, frozen Tempura squid, dried squid, frozen cut octopus, frozen whole octopus ...
In the context the Covid-19 epidemic has not been controlled worldwide, the supply of raw materials has decreased. The demand for cephalopod imports of the world and the export of Vietnamese cephalopod is expected to remain to reduce.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
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