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) 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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