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.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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