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.
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The EU remains a critical market for Vietnamese shrimp; however, purchasing demand and import patterns are undergoing notable changes. According to Vietnam Customs data, as of September 15, 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU reached nearly $374 million, down 5% year-over-year and accounting for 10.7% of the country’s total shrimp export value. Meanwhile, the EU’s stotal shrimp imports through July 2026 contracted by 7% in volume, exhibiting divergent trends across Southern Europe, Northwestern Europe and Eastern Europe. These dynamics necessitate that Vietnamese enterprises closely monitor individualized market demand, rather than approaching the EU as a monolithic consumer block.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of surimi and fish cakes remained relatively stable year-over-year compared to 2025. Following a contraction in the initial months, export performance demonstrated improvement from June onward, peaking in August. However, the recovery has been uneven, characterized by divergent trends across major markets: robust growth was recorded in China, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, and Taiwan, whereas export volumes to South Korea, Indonesia, and select European markets contracted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains one of Dong Thap’s key aquaculture species, with the province focusing on developing an integrated value chain covering seed production, commercial farming, deep processing and by-product utilization. The province is promoting high-tech, circular pangasius farming models featuring reduced water exchange and enhanced biosecurity, aiming to improve production efficiency and strengthen control over raw material quality.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
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