The supply of raw materials and the demand remained high from the main markets, which facilitated the growth of Vietnam's cephalopod exports in January. However, the growth rate is slower than that of 2017 due to the decline in the export value to the EU from the impact of the yellow card warning.
Squid products remained as the main export items of Vietnam in January 2018, accounting for 54% of the total export value. Out of cephalopod products for exports, shipments of dried/salted/fresh/live/frozen octopus (HS code 03) took up the highest proportion of 34%; followed by fresh/live/frozen squid (HS code 03), accounting for 30%.
The export value of processed octopus (HS code 16) registered the highest increase of 114%; followed by dried/grilled squid (HS code 03) with 97%; dried/salted/live/fresh/frozen octopus (HS code 03) with 28%; with that of live/fresh/frozen squid (HS code 03) was down 8% over the same period in 2017.
In January 2018, Vietnam exported cephalopod to 37 markets. Of that, the export value to top 9 main markets picked up 99% of Vietnam’s total cephalopod export value.
South Korea
In 2017, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to South Korea reached over US$218 million; up 31.6% over 2016. The figure in January 2018 was over US$19 million, up 27.3% over the same period in 2017. South Korea remained as the leading cephalopod importer of Vietnam, accounting for over 37% of Vietnam’s total export value to markets.
Japan
In 2017, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to Japan showed the good growth in each month. The total export value to the market in 2017 reached US$148.7 million, up 35.6% from 2016. The figure in January 2018 hit US$12.8 million, up 23%. Japan ranked the second in top biggest buyers of Vietnam cephalopod, accounting for nearly 25%. Japan's economy is on the trend of recovery and the yen has increased; therefore, the demand for imports of the item increases, facilitating Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to this market.
ASEAN
In 2017, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to ASEAN valued at US$71.5 million, rising by 39%. In January 2018, ASEAN emerged as the 3rd largest market of Vietnam cephalopod from the 4th rank in 2017. Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to this market in January this year reached US$7 million, up 105.8% over the same period last year. Thailand and Malaysia are two major importing markets of Vietnam cephalopod in ASEAN. Of that, exports to Thailand took the large share. Exports of the item to Thailand in January 2018 hit US$5.8 million, up nearly 90%.
EU
In January this year, the EU dropped to the 4th rank from 3rd rank in 2017. Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to the EU this month dropped by nearly 30% to see US$6.1 million. This was driven by the impact from the EU "yellow card" warning against Vietnam seafood. The country is working hard to improve the situation and move the EU yellow card.
Italy, France and Spain continued to be the three largest importing markets of Vietnam cephalopod in the EU. Exports to France and Spain increased by 33% and 31% respectively while exports to Italy decreased by 45.8%.
China
It can be said that China is the most active importing market of Vietnam seafood in 2017 with the strong growth in all items including cephalopod. In January of this year, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to China grew by 146.5% to total US$3.6 million.
China held as the 5th largest importing market of Vietnam cephalopod, accounting for 7% of Vietnam's total cephalopod exports to markets. Chinese people increasingly preferred cephalopod from Vietnam. The demand for this item in China is rising in restaurants and in households. In addition, the increase in tourist arrivals also boosted demand for this item in China.
Online shopping in China is becoming more popular, which also stimulates seafood sales in this market. China expected to continue being an important and potential market of Vietnam’s cephalopod companies in the coming time, when exports to mainstream markets face difficulties.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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