The forecasted positive growth for cephalopod exports in 2023 is based on the stable demand from the Korean and Japanese markets. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has not ended, which will continue to reduce the domestic production of Korea and Japan as well as the output of the main suppliers for these two markets such as Morocco and Peru in 2023.
Circular 06/2022 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development removing quarantine for frozen seafood imported for processing and exporting will continue to help cephalopod enterprises to diversify their raw material sources in 2023. Vietnam's instant, convenient, and affordable cephalopod products will continue to be popular in the context of world consumers still having to deal with inflation and a stagnant economy in 2023.
The forecasted positive growth for cephalopod exports in 2023 is based on the stable demand from the Korean and Japanese markets
However, the growth rate of cephalopod exports in 2023 can not be as high as in 2022 (with an increase of 25%) because enterprises continue to face challenges in terms of raw materials and rising input costs, the Russia-Ukraine conflict disturbing global trade, high gasoline prices, unremoved IUU yellow card and global inflation.
Looking back at exports in 2022
Vietnam's cephalopod exports in 2022 reached nearly 763 million USD, up 25% compared to 2021. The increase in export value of cephalopod in 2022 was influenced by factors such as increased transportation costs and exchange rate fluctuations.
In 2022, cephalopod exporters face many difficulties such as limited raw materials, high input costs, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the unremoved IUU yellow card, high inflation, increasing the cost of living in the main import markets.
However, cephalopods are one of the essential food items, so the import demand is not much fluctuating. From July 28, 2022, according to Circular 06/2022/TT-BNNPTNT of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, aquatic animal products imported as raw materials for export processing or production are exempt from quarantine. Therefore, Vietnam's exports of cephalopods in 2022 still maintained a positive growth momentum of 25%.
In 2022, exports of cephalopods to major markets all increased
In the structure of exported cephalopod products, squid accounted for 55.9%, octopus accounted for 44.1%. In 2022, squid export value increased by 35%; octopus increased by 15% compared to 2021.
The export value of all squid products increased. In which, dried/baked squid and live/fresh/frozen squid increased by 28% and 38% respectively. Notably, the export value of processed squid increased the most by 73% compared to 2021.
Import demand for processed cephalopod products tended to increase sharply. Consumer favored cephalopod products that were reasonably priced, easy to process, had a long shelf life, and suitable for processing and consumption at home such as: dried squid, dried octopus, frozen octopus.
Vietnam exported cephalopod products to 63 markets in 2022. Top 10 largest single markets importing cephalopods from Vietnam included Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Italy, USA, Malaysia, Israel, Spain, Taiwan and account for 92% of total cephalopod exports.
In 2022, exports of cephalopods to major markets all increased. In the structure of Vietnam's main export markets for cephalopods in 2022, the proportion of CPTPP, China and EU markets increased while the proportion of Korea and Thailand decreased. Japan and China were still the leading squid import markets while South Korea and Japan were the two largest octopus importers.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
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
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn