However, thanks to the good growth in the first half of the year, the total export value of Vietnamese cephalopod to this market increased by 13% compared with the same period in 2017, touching US$130 million. South Korea continued to remain as the largest importing market of Vietnamese cephalopod.
Of that, exports of Vietnamese octopus items to South Korea recorded the highest rise of 15% over the same period last year. And octopus kept as the main export products of Vietnam to South Korea, accounting for more than 72% of total export value. In particular, Vietnam boosted shipments of processed octopus to this market. In addition, exports of live/fresh/frozen squid products were also boosted to the Korean market in the first seven months of this year.
According to ITC, after the decline of imports in 2017, cephalopod imports into South Korea in the first half of 2018 tended to increase. These can be considered as good signs for cephalopod suppliers to the Korean market.
China was the largest exporter of this item to South Korea (53.2%), followed by Peru (31%) and Vietnam (10.9%). In the top 7 main suppliers, South Korea increased imports from China, Peru, Vietnam and Thailand while reducing imports from Chile, the Philippines and Japan. In particular, imports from Vietnam witnessed the highest rise.
Processed squid and fresh/live/chilled octopus were the two key export products to the market, accounting for the highest proportion of total cephalopod imports into South Korea. In the first half of this year, imports of processed squid and processed octopus into the market climbed by 19% and 1.3%, respectively over the same period of 2017. Meanwhile, Imports of frozen/dried/salted octopus and fresh/live/chilled octopus into the country fell by 70% and 28%, respectively.
With the tax rate of 0% for fresh/live/frozen octopus (HS code 030751 and HS code 030759) exporting to South Korea, Vietnam expected to continue to boost shipments of these items to the market in the coming time.
|
CEPHALOPOD IMPORTS INTO SOUTH KOREA |
||||||
|
Products |
Volume (kg) |
Value (Thousand US$) |
||||
|
Jan-Jun 2017 |
Jan-Jun 2018 |
Variation (%) |
Jan-Jun 2017 |
Jan-Jun 2018 |
Variation (%) |
|
|
Processed squid |
12,111,006 |
14,362,897 |
18.6 |
54,409 |
79,400 |
45.9 |
|
Fresh/live/chilled octopus |
5,440,526 |
3,903,957 |
-28.2 |
66,899 |
57,076 |
-14.7 |
|
Processed octopus |
3,544,086 |
3,589,061 |
1.3 |
18,084 |
24,090 |
33.2 |
|
Frozen/smoked salted squid |
720,635 |
582,558 |
-19.2 |
16,146 |
14,935 |
-7.5 |
|
Frozen/dried/salted octopus |
390,669 |
118,945 |
-69.6 |
1,815 |
734 |
-59.6 |
|
Total |
22,206,922 |
22,557,418 |
1.6 |
157,353 |
176,235 |
12.0 |
|
(Source: ITC) |
||||||
(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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