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.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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