“These species are currently sourced from within the region, but imports — from Chile, Peru and Argentina — are increasing,” Ferdouse said.
Squid and cuttlefish are also popular in southern European markets such as Spain and Italy. However, market forces, including better prices, will divert supplies from Europe to Asia, according to Ferdouse. “We believe that is going to be the trend in future. Consumption of squid in particular will increase in Asia for fresh/frozen and dried products.”
Cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish and also octopus) comprise a product group for which supplies cannot be increased through aquaculture — at least not yet. “They will come only from capture fisheries,” said Ferdouse. “For the increasing demand from oriental markets in Asia supplies are not plentiful.”
In 2010, the world catch of cephalopods was 3.65 million metric tons (MT), of which 2.25 million MT were landed by ten Asian countries — China, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Philippines and Taiwan. With the exception of India, significant portions of domestic production were marketed locally due to the strong demand. (It is worth noting that per capita seafood consumption in these countries is high and rising.)
An estimated 1.5 million MT of squid, cuttlefish and octopus were traded (imports) in the international arena in 2009, with a reported value of USD 4.3 billion. Of this, Asian countries imported 734,000 MT, valued at USD 1.8 billion, which shows the region’s dominance in the global cephalopod trade with a 50 percent share by volume and 42 percent share by value. (The actual value was possibly higher because of under‐reported imports in certain markets.)
“Asia’s dominance is even greater if we look at exports,” Ferdouse said. “In 2009, a total of 1.5 million MT of squid, cuttlefish and octopus were exported globally with a reported value of USD 4.0 billion. Of this, Asian countries exported 823,000 MT, valued at USD 2.2 billion. Asia’s share of global cephalopod exports thus amounted to 53 percent by volume and 54 percent by value.”
Imports are dominated by squid and cuttlefish, amounting to more than 1 million MT in 2011, and almost every market in South East Asia has increased its imports in recent years. Major shares of domestic landings in Japan, China, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan are also marketed locally as fresh and dried (mainly squid) products.
Asian inter‐regional trade for squid and cuttlefish to top up supplies for domestic consumption is very strong. China, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia import for export processing, and now even India has started to do the same.
Although China is the top cephalopod importer by volume, Japan remains the leading market in terms of value despite the fact that squid consumption in Japan has been falling since the 1980s. Of the total Chinese cephalopod supplies, 22 to 25 percent go to export markets and the balance is consumed locally, which makes China the largest cephalopod market in the world. Local landings and imports are dominated by squid — one of the most popular and affordable seafood items in China.
The cephalopods market in Asia is a lot more diverse than in other parts of the world. Squid, cuttlefish and octopus can be substituted for each other but cannot be replaced by finfish or shrimp in terms of texture and taste. Therefore Asian countries will continue to draw in imports and deprive traditional European markets of raw material.
Meanwhile, according to Ferdouse, Asia’s re‐processing industry will focus more on value-added products for domestic urban markets and also for exports.
INFOFISH is an intergovernmental organization for marketing information and technical advisory services for fishery products in the Asia and Pacific region. It is now offering its services to non-Asian export industries which want to explore and expand markets in Asia.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
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