Koreans have a high demand for cephalopod, especially dried items. Imports of cephalopod into South Korea in recent years tended to increase thanks to a rise in demand for healthy food.
According to ITC, in the first six months of this year, cephalopod imports into South Korea decreased by 48% to hit US$149.8 million. China was the largest supplier to the market; followed by Peru and Vietnam with the shares of 49% and 42%, respectively.
In the period, among the main cephalopod items imported into Korea; imports of processed squid (HS code 160554), fresh/live/chilled octopus (HS code 030751), processed octopus (HS code 160555) increased by 40.6%; 30.7% and 33.75%, respectively; while those of frozen/dried/salted squid (HS code 030749) and octopus (HS code 030759) declined sharply by 65.9% and 98.5%, respectively.
Vietnam’s exports of fresh/frozen octopus picked the main proportion of total Viet Nam's cephalopod exports to South Korea, followed by dried squid and fresh/frozen squid.
Despite the proportion of 1% in total imports of fresh/live octopus into South Korea, Vietnam will have the opportunity to increase the market share thanks to the tax rate of 0% (China with 91%; Thailand with over 8%) and good supplies. For the export value, Vietnam accounted for 35%, while China picked up 45% in total imports of frozen octopus into the market.
Korea's import demand for frozen squid in 2016 had rebounded, up 8% after a 16-percent drop in 2015. In 2017, South Korea's squid imports expected to continue the rise as the squid output of the country fell sharply from 186 thousand MT in 2015 to 141 thousand MT in 2016. Vietnam made up the highest market share in South Korea with 31.5% in 2016, while Chile accounted for 228.5% and China with 12.5%. In addition, Vietnam was subject to the lower tax than China (Vietnam with the tax of 6.67% and China with the tax of 13.33%).
(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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