From 2012, Japan - the 4th largest importer of cephalopod in the world, tended to reduce imports. The import volume of cephalopod fell from 104,000 MT in 2012 to 59,000 MT in 2017, and this trend is likely to continue this year.
The reason is that the global octopus production has reduced, which pushed the price up. In addition, the domestic supply went down, so the supply to this market is limited.
Processed squid (HS code 160554) was the most imported item into Japan in 2017 with the value of US$274.3 million; followed by processed octopus with US$80.3 million and frozen squid (HS code 030749) with a US$1.4 million and frozen octopus (HS code 030759) with US$82,000.
Among cephalopod products imported into Japan; the import value of processed squid (HS code 160554) sharply increased by 619%. However, that of frozen squid (HS 030749) and frozen octopus (HS 030759) fell remarkably by 99% and 100% respectively from 2016.
Only 12 countries exported cephalopod to Japan in 2017, while the figure in 2016 was 17. According to the statistics from the International Trade Center (ITC), in 2017, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Peru, South Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, Spain, India, Chile, Myanmar and Malaysia were 12 countries supplying cephalopod to this market.
In 2017, shipments of cephalopod from most of countries to Japan decreased compared to 2016. Only China, Peru, South Korea and Spain posted the positive growth of 62%, 896%, 2,757% and 66%, respectively in the export value to this market over 2016.
The 4 major suppliers to Japan included China, Vietnam, Thailand and Peru.
In terms of the value, Vietnam ranked the second largest exporter of cephalopod to Japan with the proportion of 12.3%, behind China.
On the Japanese market; Vietnam cephalopod has competitive prices compared to Thailand but higher than that of China and Peru. In 2017, the average import price of cephalopod from Vietnam into Japan quoted at US$7/kg; that from China was US5.8 USD / kg; that from Thailand was US$14/kg; and that from Peru was US$4/kg.
Thanks to higher prices of cephalopod in 2017, the export value of Vietnam cephalopod to this market increased compared to 2016. According to the statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to Japan in 2017 valued at US$148.7 million, up 35.6%. Japan ranked the second in top cephalopod buyers of Vietnam, accounting for 24%. Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to Japan in January 2018 rose by 23% to see US$12.8 million.
Currently, Vietnam mainly exported live/fresh/frozen squid to the market, accounting for 52% of total export value; followed by processed octopus with 21%; live/fresh/frozen/dried octopus with 19%; and the rest was other processed squid.
In the coming time, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to Japan projected to witness the good growth thanks to the recovery in the Japanese economy, a rise in the yen and a drop in Japan’s cephalopod production in 2017.
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(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.
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(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
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