Growth mometum driven by Asia
South Korea remains the largest market, importing over 122 million USD worth of squid and octopus from Vietnam (36% of total exports), up 7% year - on - year. Popular products include cleaned cuttlefish, frozen processed octopus and whole frozen octopus.
The CPTPP bloc also recorded strong growth of 20% with exports reaching over 96 million USD. Japan made a significant contribution which contributed 83 million USD in imports (up 21%). Products such as MA sushi squid, breaded fried squid and frozen octopus are highly favored by Japanese consumers.
China and Hong Kong combined for a total of 34 million USD, up 15% - with China alone surging by 87% in June 2025. Thailand also stood out with a 37% increase, driven by strong demand for boiled frozen octopus, dried squid and button squid.
Conversely, some markets like Taiwan, Australia and Hong Kong experienced declines, reflecting intense competition, certain technical and trade barriers.
Challenges Facing Enterprises
- Procedural and policy issues: Difficulties in obtaining Certificates of Origin (C/O) in accordance with Decree 31/2018/ND-CP have caused delays for many export shipments. Additionally, regulations on imported raw materials and food safety inspection procedures remain inconsistent, causing bottlenecks when converting the intended use of imported materials.
- IUU Yellow Card: The EU’s IUU yellow card continues to impact seafood exports, including squid and octopus, limiting competitiveness in this key market.
- U.S countervailing duties and risks: The potential imposition of U.S. countervailing duties of up to 20% is a significant concern. Vague regulations regarding product origin (transshipment, 40-20-40 rules, etc) also pose risks of high tariffs or import bans.
- U.S. MMPA regulations: The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has not yet recognized Vietnam’s marine mammal conservation measures, including fishing methods related to squid harvesting. If Vietnam fails to meet equivalency standards, exports to the U.S could be banned starting January 1, 2026.
Strategies for businesses amid market volatility
Vietnamese squid and octopus exporters should proactively diversify their markets with Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan and Thailand serving as stable pillars. Enterprises should also seize opportunities in other CPTPP member markets.
Additionally, enterprises need to standardize documentation and processes, investing in quality management and raw material traceability systems to ensure transparency and meet origin requirements - especially as technical barriers tighten.
Additionally, enterprises should prepare for worst - case scenarios in the U.S market, including the potential imposition of tariffs, by reassessing the proportion of exports to the U.S, adjusting market strategies and revising long-term contracts if necessary.
Finally, to meet the increasingly stringent environmental and traceability requirements from the EU and U.S, enterprises must strengthen collaboration with fishermen and invest in transparent traceability systems to ensure sustainable market access.
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The EU remains a critical market for Vietnamese shrimp; however, purchasing demand and import patterns are undergoing notable changes. According to Vietnam Customs data, as of September 15, 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU reached nearly $374 million, down 5% year-over-year and accounting for 10.7% of the country’s total shrimp export value. Meanwhile, the EU’s stotal shrimp imports through July 2026 contracted by 7% in volume, exhibiting divergent trends across Southern Europe, Northwestern Europe and Eastern Europe. These dynamics necessitate that Vietnamese enterprises closely monitor individualized market demand, rather than approaching the EU as a monolithic consumer block.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of surimi and fish cakes remained relatively stable year-over-year compared to 2025. Following a contraction in the initial months, export performance demonstrated improvement from June onward, peaking in August. However, the recovery has been uneven, characterized by divergent trends across major markets: robust growth was recorded in China, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, and Taiwan, whereas export volumes to South Korea, Indonesia, and select European markets contracted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains one of Dong Thap’s key aquaculture species, with the province focusing on developing an integrated value chain covering seed production, commercial farming, deep processing and by-product utilization. The province is promoting high-tech, circular pangasius farming models featuring reduced water exchange and enhanced biosecurity, aiming to improve production efficiency and strengthen control over raw material quality.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(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 - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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