These were driven by the shortage of raw materials for processing and partly because the purchasing power in markets was not high.
According to data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnam cephalopod exports in Jan-Jul 2016 reached US$218.5 million, down 7.3% compared to the same period in 2015. Of that, exports to South Korea touched US$81.22 million, accounting for 37.2%, those to Japan achieved US$55.06 million, taking up 25.2%.
In the period, Chinese exports of smoked/salted/dried/frozen cuttlefish and squid showed the growth. The export price of these items this year was higher than the same period of the last 2 years. Thailand stayed as the leading importer of smoked/salted/dried/frozen cuttlefish and squid from China, followed by the Philippines. However, the export price of Chinese processed cuttlefish and squid this year quoted at lower prices than last year. In general, the average export price of Chinese items tended to decline from the beginning of this year and rose up in late May. Japan, the U.S. and South Korea were the top 3 importers of its processed cuttlefish and squid.
In Jan-Jul 2016, Vietnam squid exports totaled US$123.79 million, making up 56.7%. In particular, exports of live/fresh/frozen squid (HS code 03) reached the highest export value, followed by dry/grilled squid (HS code 03). Exports of other processed squid (HS code 16) in the first 7 months of this year gained US$7.35 million.
Vietnam octopus exports in the first 7 months of this year valued at US$94.706 million, of which, exports of processed octopus (HS code 16) hit US$20.15 million, and those of dried/salted/live/fresh/frozen octopus (HS code 03) were US$74.54 million. Vietnam exports of octopus accounted for 43.3% of total cephalopod exports, down slightly from 44.56% in the same period of 2015.
Written by Ngoc Thuy
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
(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.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
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