In the structure of exported cephalopod, squid and cuttlefish account for 57% of export value, reaching 35 million USD; Octopus accounted for 43% reaching 27 million USD.
Cephalopod exports to the largest import market, South Korea, increased by 67% to 26 million USD. Japan's nuclear waste water discharge reduced Korea's demand for seafood imports from Japan. Korea did not issue a ban on importing seafood from Japan but increased inspection of goods from Japan. Besides, China is the largest supplier of cephalopod to Korea. China's ban on seafood imports from Japan also caused the supply of cephalopod from China to markets such as Korea to decrease due to a shortage of processing materials. It is expected that Vietnam's cephalopod exports to Korea will continue to grow positively in the first quarter of 2024 when the ban on importing Japanese seafood into China has not yet been lifted.
According to data from the World Trade Center (ITC), in January this year, Korea's imports of cephalopod from supply sources also recorded an increase of 5%, reaching 91 million USD. Vietnam is the second largest supplier of cephalopod to Korea, after China.
Cephalopod exports to Japan (Vietnam's second largest cephalopod import market) recorded a lower growth rate than the Korean market, increasing by 19% to reach 13 million USD. The nuclear waste water discharge has a negative impact on Japan's overall seafood import and export. After the nuclear wastewater discharge, Japan's imports of cephalopod from Vietnam decreased significantly.
China & HK are the third largest import markets for cephalopod in Vietnam. Cephalopod exports to this market in January this year grew impressively by 3 digits with 151% reaching 7 million USD. China's ban on seafood imports from Japan after Japan's nuclear waste water discharge into the sea has caused China to increase imports from other sources, including Vietnam. In addition, this market increased imports of cephalopod from Vietnam in January this year to serve the consumption needs of the Lunar New Year.
Contrary to the growth trend of exports to other markets, Vietnam's cephalopod exports to the EU in January this year still could not escape negative growth. The EU is also the only market among the main markets importing cephalopod from Vietnam, recording negative growth. Vietnam's cephalopod exports to this market decreased by 17% to nearly 4 million USD in the first month of this year. Exporting cephalopod to the EU is still affected by the IUU yellow card, many new regulations, procedures for making certification and certification for export to this market are still inadequate, and people tend to tighten spending. due to inflation.
Cephalopod export enterprises continue to face many difficulties in raw material sources, increased input costs for production, and weak consumption demand. Geopolitical conflicts in the world and Red Sea tensions continue to be challenges for Vietnam's cephalopod exports in 2024. The world economy has bottomed out with expectations of recovery this year. , Vietnam's cephalopod exports in 2024 are expected to reach about 700 million USD, an increase of 6% compared to 2023.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Nearly US$1.7 billion is the projected gap in 2029 between the baseline scenario and a scenario in which Vietnam’s seafood exports grow by 10% annually, according to calculations by VASEP to be presented at Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026. This gap raises a key question for the entire industry: Which markets, products and supply chain improvements will generate the additional growth?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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