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) Khanh Hoa Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and the Van Hung Public Service Center, recently organized a training course on disease-free golden pompano seed production. The program is part of a National Agricultural Extension Project aimed at developing industrial-scale seed production models to support sustainable marine aquaculture.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The application of high technology in shrimp farming is delivering positive results in the coastal areas of Vinh Long Province, contributing to improved production efficiency and creating significant potential for further industry expansion. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, the province is focusing on aquaculture zoning, infrastructure investment, and promoting modern, sustainable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Đồng Tháp Province has intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing by strengthening vessel monitoring, law enforcement and seafood traceability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood businesses need solutions to overcome bottlenecks such as labor shortages, difficulty accessing capital, high input costs, and administrative procedures in order to maintain production, adapt to market fluctuations, and effectively exploit export opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The FTA would widen access to markets with strong demand for premium food products in line with the country’s strategy of shifting exports towards increasing added value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of July 13th, Mr. Ho Quoc Dung, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Deputy Prime Minister, along with his delegation, visited and worked with businesses in An Giang province to promptly resolve obstacles and promote production and business activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As importing markets increasingly focus on biosecurity and traceability, Vietnam has established a relatively comprehensive legal framework and disease management system for aquaculture, covering tilapia farming as well as other cultured species. This system is based on the Law on Animal Health, regulations on the prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases, the National Plan for the Prevention and Control of Major Diseases in Farmed Aquatic Species, and environmental monitoring and early warning programs for aquaculture areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On July 9, 2026, the Embassy of Vietnam in Brazil organized the seminar titled “Sharing Information on Vietnam-Brazil Economic, Trade and Investment Relations in the First Half of 2026” to provide updates on bilateral cooperation and strengthen connections among government agencies, industry associations, and business communities of the two countries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports in the first 6 months of the year continued to be a bright spot with a total turnover of 5.7 billion USD, an increase of 11.4% compared to the same period last year. By commodity group, seafood is one of the three groups with a trade balance in the first 6 months of 2026 in a surplus state with 4.13 billion USD, an increase of 17%.
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