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) Da Nang City has fully implemented all recommendations from the European Commission (EC) regarding the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, creating an important foundation for the removal of the “yellow card” in the near future.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
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