Squid continued to be the key export item of Vietnam in the first half of 2018, accounting for 55% of the total export value; while octopus accounted for 45%. Of that, exports of dried/salted/fresh/live/frozen octopus (HS code 03) remained to account for the highest proportion of 36%; followed by fresh/live/frozen squid item (HS code 03), accounting for 30%.
Compared with the same period in 2017, exports of squid products decreased, while those of octopus products increased. The export value of processed octopus (HS code 16) increased by 51%, followed by dried/grilled squid (HS code 03) with 40%. Shipments of live/fresh/frozen squid (HS code 03) fell by 17.5%.
South Korea
In July 2018, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to South Korea fell by 3% compared with July 2017, reaching US$20 million. However, thanks to the continuous growth in the first months of the year, the total export turnover in the first 7 months of the year reached more than US$23 million, up 13% over the same period in 2017. South Korea continued to be the largest importing market of Viet Nam, accounting for 36.8% of the total export value of Vietnamese cephalopod to markets.
Japan
After the recovery in June, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to Japan in July decreased by 18%, reaching US$2 million; the figure in the first 7 months of the year amounted to US$80 million, up 3.5%.
Vietnam’s squid exports to Japan decreased by 9% over the same period last year. Meanwhile, exports of octopus products increased by 34%. This year, the proportion of Vietnam’s octopus exports to Japan tended to increase.
Japan continued to rank the second in top buyers of Vietnamese cephalopod, accounting for 22.9%. Recently, the Japanese economy is on the trend of recovery and the yen has increased, which facilitated exports of Vietnamese octopus to the market.
The EU
Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to the EU in July 2018 reached US$7 million, down 41% compared with July 2017. Therefore, the figure in the first seven months of this year was down 27% to hit US$46 million.
This year, exports of Vietnamese octopus to the EU increased by 105%. Meanwhile, exports of squid products to the market fell by 39%.
In July 2018, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to the three largest importing markets in the bloc, including Italy Spain and France had been on the recovery.
ASEAN
This year, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to ASEAN in July 2018 decreased by 12.4%, reaching US$6.8 million. However, thanks to the good growth in the previous months, the total export value in the first seven months of this year increased by 20% to nearly US$46 million.
Of that, squid is the main export item of Vietnam to ASEAN. The export value of Vietnamese squid to this market accounted for 97.3% of the total cephalopod sales to the region; that of octopus accounted for 2.7%. Among the items exported to ASEAN, dried/grilled squid products were the most popular in this market.
Thailand held as the large importing market of Vietnamese octopus in ASEAN with the proportion of 75% total cephalopod exports to ASEAN. Vietnam was currently the second largest supplier of cephalopod to Thailand (behind China), making up 25%.
In the coming time, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports forecasted to increase slightly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
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
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn