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.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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