Cephalopod exports in the third quarter of 2022 recorded high growth in all three months of the quarter, especially in August, which recorded a strong growth of 82%. At the same time last year, many processing and exporting enterprises were affected by restrictions to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic. The high export value of cephalopod this year is also influenced by factors such as rising shipping prices plus exchange rate fluctuations.
In the structure of exported cephalopod products, squid and cuttlefish accounted for 56.4%, octopus accounted for 43.6%. In the first 9 months of 2022, the export value of squid and cuttlefish increased by 49% while octopus increased by 24% compared to the same period in 2021.
The export value of squid products all increased, in which dried/baked squid and live/fresh/frozen squid increased by 44% and 47% respectively. Notably, the export value of processed squid increased the most by 89% over the same period last year. Export value of processed octopus and live/fresh/frozen octopus increased by 43% and 21% respectively.
Import demand for processed cephalopod products tends to increase sharply. The Covid pandemic has not ended, so it still has an impact on the demand for cephalopods. Accordingly, the demand is still in favor of cephalopod products that are affordable, easy to process, have a long shelf life, and are suitable for home processing and consumption such as: dried squid, dried octopus, frozen octopus, etc.
In the first 9 months of 2022, Vietnam's cephalopod products were exported to 61 markets, an increase compared to 59 markets over the same period last year. In the first 9 months of 2022, exports of cephalopods to major markets increased. In the structure of Vietnam's main export markets for cephalopods, the proportion of CPTPP, China and EU markets increased while the proportion of Korea and Thailand decreased. Japan and China are still the leading squid import markets while South Korea and Japan are the two largest octopus import markets of Vietnam.
Korea is still the largest import market of Vietnam's cephalopods, accounting for 36% of the total export value. Accumulated in the first 9 months of 2022, exports of cephalopods to this market reached over 197 million USD, up 19% over the same period.
Korea mainly imports from Vietnam frozen cut octopus, frozen whole octopus, frozen cut octopus, frozen processed octopus, peeled dried squid, frozen processed squid, frozen sushi squid, frozen cleaned cuttlefish fillet, frozen cleaned whole cuttlefish, frozen pineapple-cut squid, frozen baby squid.
In the first 9 months of 2022, cephalopod exporters faced many difficulties in terms of raw materials and high input costs for production. The Russia-Ukraine conflict disturbs global trade, high gasoline prices make the cost of fishing trips difficult for fishermen, many ships cannot sail. Besides, the IUU yellow card that has not been removed is still a challenge for Vietnam’s cephalopod exports. High inflation, commodity prices and soaring cost of living in the main import markets also have negative impacts on Vietnam's cephalopod exports.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Nearly US$1.7 billion is the projected gap in 2029 between the baseline scenario and a scenario in which Vietnam’s seafood exports grow by 10% annually, according to calculations by VASEP to be presented at Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026. This gap raises a key question for the entire industry: Which markets, products and supply chain improvements will generate the additional growth?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
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
