In 2017, exports of squid remained to take the large share of 56.3% of total export value. Shipments of fresh/live/frozen squid accounted for the highest proportion of 36.2%, followed by dried/salted/fresh/frozen octopus with 36%.
Sales of of other processed squid (HS code 16) increased sharply by 66%; followed by those of live/fresh/frozen octopus (HS code 03) with 53%; those of live/fresh/frozen squid (HS code 03) with 46% compared to 2016 and those of dried/grilled squid (HS code 03) with 12%.
In 2017, Vietnam exported cephalopod to 63 markets. In particular, the total export value to 9 main markets picked up 98.9% of the total export value of Vietnam cephalopod.
Exports to South Korea remained the good growth from the beginning of the year. Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to South Korea in December 2017 reached US$19.7 million; increasing by 8.6% over the same period in 2016. The figure in 2017 totaled over US$218 million; up 31.6% over the same period last year. South Korea stayed as the biggest buyer of Vietnam cephalopod, accounting for 35% of Vietnam’s total export value of cephalopod to markets.
Vietnam’s cephalopod sales to Japan reported the continuous growth from the beginning of the year. The export value of Vietnam cephalopod to the market in December 2017 reached US$12.8 million, up 7.7% over December 2016. The figure in 2017 estimated at US$148.7 million , up 35.6% from a year before. Japan ranked the second in top leading importers of Vietnam, accounting for 24%. Japan's economy expected to rebound in 2017 and the yen's appreciation has led to a surge in demand for imported seafood, which has facilitated Vietnam's cephalopod exports to the market.
The EU was the third largest buyer Vietnam cephalopod in 2017. Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to the EU in December 2017 decreased by 23.6% to see US$7.4 million due to the impact of the EU "yellow card" warning. However, the figure in 2017 increased remarkably by 51.6% to over US$106 million. Italy, Spain and France continued to be top three largest importers of Vietnam cephalopod in the EU. Exports to these three markets all recorded the 2-3 digit growth. In 2017, exports to Italy and Spain increased by 35% and 66.8%, respectively while those to France inched up 133.8% year on year.
ASEAN held as the 4th rank. Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to the region in December 2017 touched US$5.3 million, up 5.2% compared with December 2016. Thailand and Malaysia were two major buyers of Vietnam cephalopod in ASEAN. Vietnam currently boosted cephalopod exports to the region. The shipments to ASEAN in 2017 gained US$71.5 million, up 39% year on year.
China was the most important seafood importer of Vietnam in 2017 with strong growth in all seafood products. Exports of cephalopod to this market in 2017 touched US$39.8 million in 2017; up 140.9% over 2016. In which, exports to Hong Kong reached US$6.9 million, up 21.4%.
Exports to China registered the highest growth rate among major markets for cephalopod from Vietnam in the period. The country claimed as the fifth largest buyer of Vietnam cephalopod, accounting for 6.4% of Vietnam's total exports of the items to markets.
Chinese customers increasingly preferred Vietnam cephalopod. The demand for octopus in China is rising in restaurants and in households. In addition, a rise 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 as an important and potential market for Vietnam’s cephalopod enterprises in the coming time, when exports to mainstream markets face difficulties.
The U.S ranked th 6th in top leading cephalopod buyers of Vietnam. Although Vietnam’s exports of shrimp and pangasius to the U.S decreased, those of cephalopod to this market still increased by 94.7% to eye US$9.7 million in 2017.
Vietnam’s cephalopod exports in the first 3 months of 2018 expected to remain stable compared to the same period in 2017.
(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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