Squid products continued to be the main export products of Vietnam in the first two months of 2018, accounting for 56% of total export value, while octopus accounted for 44%. Of that, sales of dried/salted/fresh/live/frozen octopus (HS code 03) accounted for the highest proportion of 34%; followed by fresh/live/frozen squid (HS code 03), accounting for 31.7%.
This year, thanks to abundant supply of raw materials and high demand from the main markets, Vietnam has boosted its exports to key markets. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, Vietnam’ cephalopod exports to 9 main markets including South Korea, Japan, the EU, Asean, China and Hong Kong, the U.S, Taiwan, Russia and Israel all went up over the same period last year.
South Korea: Exports to South Korea kept the good growth momentum. Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to the market in March 2018 reached nearly US$18 million, up 4% over the same period in 2017; the figure in Jan-Mar 2018 estimated at US$46 million, up 13% over the same period in 2017. South Korea remained as the largest importer of Vietnam cephalopod, accounting for over 36% of Vietnam’s total export value of this item.
Japan: According to Vietnam Customs statistics, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to Japan in March 2018 reached US$11 million, up 3% over the same period in 2017; the figure in Jan-Mar 2018 hit US$30.6 million, up 17% over the same period last year. Japan's economy is on the trend of recovery, the yen has increased, which facilitated exports of Vietnam cephalopod to this market.
The EU: The EU held as the third rank in top cephalopod buyers of Vietnam. Exports of this item in March 2018 reached US$6.4 million, down 20% compared with March 2017. Therefore, exports to the bloc in the first three months of this year decreased by 13.5% to touch US$17.3 million. This may be driven by the impact of the EU "yellow card" for seafood exports of Vietnam. Italy, France and Spain continued to be the three biggest importers of Vietnam cephalopod in the EU. Of that, exports to Italy and France were down 25.5% and 7.3%, respectively.
ASEAN: In March 2018, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to ASEAN rebounded to reach US$6.1 million, up 19% compared to March 2017. As a result, the total export value of this item to the region in the first three months of this year increased by 30% to hit US$16 million. Thailand was a large market of Vietnam cephalopod in ASEAN. Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to Thailand in the first 3 months of 2018 reached US$12 million, up nearly 27%.
China: Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to China continued to show the strong growth. In March 2018, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to this market amounted to US$4.3 million, up 236% over the same period in 2017; the figure in the first three months of 2018 hit US$9.6 million, up 176% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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