In the first months of 2020, Korea was also affected hardly by the Covid-19 epidemic, demand for cephalopod imports of South Korea declined due to the closure of restaurant systems. A shutdown of the hotel and a closed school, and a drop in tourists will also reduce Korea's demand for cephalopod imports.
South Korea remained the largest importer of Vietnamese cephalopod, accounting for 42% of Vietnam's total export value of this commodity to the markets. Vietnamese cephalopod exports to South Korea dived by 6.2% in April 2020 and fell by 22.3% in the first four months of 2020 to reach US$ 63.4 million. In the first four months of this year, cephalopod exports to South Korea rose only by 14% in February, exports in the remaining three months shrunk.
The decrease in export price and demand due to the Covid-19 epidemic is one of the factors affecting Vietnam's cephalopod exports to South Korea in the first four months of 2020. The tariff advantage from the Vietnam-Korea Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA) partly helps to boost Vietnamese cephalopod exports to this market.
In the structure of squid and octopus products of Vietnam exports to South Korea, octopus still dominated by 68.8%, squid accounted for 31.2%. In the first quarter of 2020, in the total export of squid and octopus products of Vietnam to South Korea, only export of dried/baked squid (HS 03) jumped by 19.8%, the export value of the remaining products fell in which the export value of processed octopus (HS 16) dropped the most, with a decrease of over 37%.
South Korea mainly imports cephalopod products from Vietnam such as dried squid, skin, frozen cleaning processing squid, frozen sushi squid, frozen whole octopus, chilled octopus … Vietnamese squid products exports to South Korea have higher prices than that of octopus with the average price ranging from 11-14 USD/kg. The price of Vietnamese octopus exports to South Korea has an average price of US$6- US$6.5/kg.
Currently, Vietnam enjoys a 0% export tax to Korea for fresh/live and frozen octopus products (HS030751 and HS030759). Dried octopus/ salt/live/fresh/frozen accounts for the highest proportion of total squid and octopus products exports to South Korea.
Diseases also cause economic growth decline, lower people's income. Therefore, people will only consume affordable products, limiting the consumption of higher-priced items such as squid and octopus products. Suppliers can focus on selling to online channels, prioritizing frozen, canned, deep-processed products with long shelf life, reducing fresh products due to consumers changing their consumption habits in the context of the disease.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Recently, in Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD) and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized a workshop to announce the results of the project “Food Loss Assessment in the Pangasius Value Chain in the Mekong River Region.” The project aims to provide scientific evidence to support the sustainable development of Vietnam’s pangasius industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp prices in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta have recovered since early May, helping to improve farmers’ confidence and accelerate stocking activities for the 2026 farming season. However, farmers remain cautious due to rising input costs, unfavorable weather conditions, and disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 27, the Vietnam Trade Office in India, in collaboration with trade promotion agencies, industry associations, and businesses from both countries, organized the online seminar “Vietnam–India Seafood Trade Forum and Supply-Demand Connectivity 2026.” The event aimed to promote trade cooperation, investment, and seafood supply chain connectivity between Vietnam and India amid the ongoing restructuring of global markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In recent years, Ninh Binh Province has intensified the application of science and technology in aquaculture in order to improve productivity, product quality, and economic efficiency.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This figure reflects an emerging export sector that is taking advantage of market gaps created by global trade disruptions, while larger producers are adjusting their strategies.
On the afternoon of May 28, the People’s Committee of Ho Thi Ky Commune signed a memorandum of understanding with Minh Phu Certified Shrimp Social Co., Ltd. (a member of Minh Phu Seafood Corporation) on cooperation to develop a black tiger shrimp farming area meeting international certification standards during the 2026–2030 period in the commune.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The “Moringa Noodles Salad” product by Sa Giang Import-Export Corporation was honored as one of the “Top 10 Winning Products” at the THAIFEX – Anuga taste Innovation Show 2026, held as part of THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 in Bangkok.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
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