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) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
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