In the period, Vietnam exported cephalopod to 38 markets, in which the export value to the top leading markets all grew well over the same period in 2017 except for the EU (-9.1%).
The supply of raw materials in addition to the high demand in the major markets supported the growth of Vietnam’s cephalopod exports in the first two months of 2018.
Squid products continued to be the main export products of Vietnam in the first two months of 2018, accounting for 53.6% of total export value, while octopus products accounted for 46.4%. Of that, exports of dried/salted/fresh/frozen octopus (HS code 03) accounted for the highest proportion of 35.2%; followed by fresh/live/frozen squid (HS code 03) with 31.7%.
In the period, the export value of processed octopus (HS code 16) increased by 77%; followed by dried/grilled squid (HS code 03) with the rise of 49% and dried/salted/live/fresh/frozen octopus (HS code 03) with 29%; while that of other processed squid (HS code 16) decreased by 19% over the same period in 2017.
In the first two months of 2018, Vietnam exported squid cephalopod to 38 markets. In particular, the total export value to top 9 major markets accounted for 98.2% of the total export value of Vietnam cephalopod.
South Korea: Exports to South Korea still remained the growth momentum from 2017. Exports of cephalopod to South Korea in February 2018 reached US$8.7 million, up 7.8% over the same period in 2017. The figure in Jan-Feb 2018 amounted to US$27.8 million, up 20.4% year on year. South Korea held as the biggest importer of Vietnam cephalopod, occupying over 35.6% of the total export value of Vietnam cephalopod to markets.
Japan: In 2017, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to Japan recorded the good growth in each month. In February this year, exports to the market grew by 32% to hit US$7.1 million. The figure in the first two months of this year estimated at US$19.9 million, up 26% over the same period in 2017. Japan ranked the second in top leading buyers of Vietnam cephalopod, accounting for 25.5%. The recovery of Japan's economy and a rise in the yen facilitated Vietnam’s cephalopod exports of to this market.
EU: In February 2018, the EU regained its third rank after standing at the fourth position in January 2018. Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to EU in February 2018 valued at US$4.7 million, up 47.7% compared with February 2017. However, the figure in the first two months of this year fell by 9% to eye US$10.9 million due to the impact of the EU's "yellow card" warming against Vietnam seafood. Italy, France and Spain continued to be top three largest importing markets of Vietnam cephalopod in the EU. Exports to France and Spain inched up 6.9% and 104%, respectively, while exports to Italy decreased by 12.5%.
ASEAN: In February 2018, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to ASEAN reached US$2.6 million, down 26.5% over February 2017. However, thanks to the strong growth in January, exports to this market in the first two months of this year went up 38.3% to total US$9.7 million. Thailand and Malaysia were the two major importers of Vietnam cephalopod in ASEAN. Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to Thailand in the first two months of 2018 were worth by US$7.7 million, up nearly 31.3%.
China: China was the most important seafood importer of Vietnam in 2017 with the strong growth in all seafood products including cephalopod. In 2018, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to China still kept the positive growth momentum. In the first two months of this year, cephalopod sales to this market hit US$5.3 million, up 141.4% over the same period last year.
China claimed as the fifth largest buyer of Vietnam cephalopod, accounting for 6.8% of Vietnam's total exports of the items to markets. Exports to the country registered the highest growth rate among major markets for cephalopod from Vietnam in the period. Chinese customers increasingly preferred Vietnam cephalopod. The demand for octopus in China is rising in restaurants and in households. In addition, a rise in tourist arrivals also boosted demand for this item in China.
China expected to continue as an important and potential market for Vietnam’s cephalopod enterprises in the coming time, when exports to mainstream markets face difficulties.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(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.
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