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) 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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