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.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(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.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn