South Korea has continued to be a major market for Vietnam's cephalopod exports, with steady growth observed in the first half of 2024. The second quarter saw particularly strong performance, with May and June recording double-digit increases.
The sustained demand from South Korea, coupled with reduced imports from other sources like Japan and China due to factors such as Japan's nuclear wastewater discharge and China's import ban on Japanese seafood, has benefited Vietnam's exporters.
Vietnam's octopus exports have been particularly strong, accounting for 71.9% of the total value to South Korea in the first half of the year. The dried/salted/live/fresh/frozen octopus segment saw a notable 18% increase, while the processed octopus group experienced a 15% decline.
South Korea primarily imports frozen octopus, frozen octopus cuts, cleaned frozen whole octopus, skinless dried squid, and frozen squid tubes from Vietnam.
The average export price of octopus to South Korea has been more stable than that of squid. In the second quarter of this year, the average export price of Vietnamese squid to South Korea showed a downward trend.
According to ITC data, South Korea's imports of cephalopod from all countries decreased by 3% to $494 million in the first six months of 2024. Vietnam ranked second in supplying cephalopod to South Korea, after China. China and Vietnam accounted for 46% and 24% of South Korea's total cephalopod imports, respectively.
In the first half of 2024, among the top three suppliers, imports from China and Vietnam increased, while imports from Peru decreased significantly. South Korea's imports of frozen octopus increased, while imports of frozen squid decreased in the first six months of the year.
In 2024, South Korea's seafood imports are expected to rebound as the Korean economy is forecast to recover. The South Korean won is expected to appreciate by the end of 2024.
In South Korea, demand for ready-to-eat, processed, and preserved foods is rapidly increasing. This information may be a positive signal for Vietnam's cephalopod exports to South Korea in 2024.
(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.
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