In the second quarter of 2020, cephalopod exports to Korea continued to decrease, but the rate of reduction was lower than that of the first quarter. In the second quarter of 2020, the export value of squid and octopus to South Korea reached US$57.6 million, down 1.9% compared to the second quarter of 2019. In particular, in June 2020, exports to Korea grew positively after 3 consecutive months of decline. Vietnam's squid and octopus exports to Korea increased by 23.5% in June 2020, but due to a decrease in the previous months, the export of squid and octopus to this market still decreased by 15% in the first 6 months of 2020 reached over US$102 million.
The decrease in export prices and demand for consumption due to the Covid-19 epidemic was one of the factors affecting the export of Vietnamese octopus and squid to South Korea in the first half of 2020. In the second quarter of 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic in South Korea was less stressful than the first quarter, so the export of squid and octopus to this market avoids further decline.
In the structure of Vietnamese cephalopod products exported to Korea, octopus still dominated with 69.1%, squid made up for 30.9%. In the first half of 2020, the export of squid to South Korea rose by 4.6% while that of octopus fell by 21.6%. Smoked, dried squid (HS03 code) recorded an increase of 13.3%, the best growth among squid and octopus products exported to Korea. Processed squid exports to Korea also increased slightly by 1%. While the export value of processed octopus and dried/salted/live/fresh/frozen octopus decreased by 24% and 22% respectively over the same period in 2019.
South Korea mainly imports squid and octopus products from Vietnam such as peeled dried squid, frozen processed squid, frozen sushi squid, frozen cleaned cuttlefish, frozen pine cut cuttlefish, and frozen cleaned whole octopus, frozen cut octopus, frozen processed octopus ... In the first 6 months of 2020, prices of squid products exported from Vietnam to Korea ranged from US$9.7 to US$13.9/kg, that of octopus ranged from US$6 - US$6.4/kg.
Currently, Vietnam enjoys an export tax of 0% to Korea for live/fresh/ and frozen octopus products (HS030751 and HS030759). Dried/salted/live/fresh/frozen octopus also accounted for the highest proportion of the total squid and octopus products exported to Korea.
According to ITC data, in the first half of 2020, South Korea imported squid and octopus from 9 suppliers with an import value of over US$126 million, down 13% over the same period in 2019. China was the largest supplier of squid and octopus to South Korea. Among the main suppliers, South Korea increased imports of squid and octopus from Indonesia and India, imports from the remaining suppliers declined.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
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