In October 2020, among the top 5 main importing markets, excluding the EU, cephalopod exports to the remaining markets such as Korea, Japan, ASEAN, and China lifted. China was still the the most stable importer for Vietnamese cephalopod in the first 10 months of this year. After an increase in September, export of cephalopod to the EU slipped in October due to a decrease in exports to Italy and Germany. Total exports of Vietnam cephalopod in the first 10 months of this year declined due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Squid and cuttlefish exports accounted for 54.4%, octopus sales made up 45.6%. In the first 10 months of this year, squid export value jumped while octopus turnover slumped. The export of processed octopus (HS code 6) dropped the most by nearly 26%. Dried/roasted squid (HS code 03) still got positive growth of 32%, reaching $105.7 million. Exports of other processed squid (HS code 16) and fresh/frozen squid (HS code 03) decreased by 4% and 8%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2019.
South Korea was still the largest import market for Vietnamese octopus and squid, with proportion of 41.5%. Vietnamese cephalopod exports to South Korea had been rising continuously from June to October this year. In October, the export of this item to South Korea hiked by 14% to US$24.9 million, but due to the decrease in the previous months, the total exports to this market still fell by 1% in the first 10 months of the year, reaching US$188.6 million.
The decrease in export prices and consumption demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic were affecting the export of Vietnamese cephalopod to South Korea in the first 10 months of 2020. Vietnam's squid and octopus exports to the South Korean market has been showing signs of an increase in recent months.
Japan ranked second in Vietnamese cephalopod imports, accounting for 22%. Exports to Japan in the first 10 months of 2020 reached nearly US$100 million, down 16% over the same period in 2019. Exports to Japan had been declining continuously from May to September before slightly recovering in October.
The exports of cephalopod to the EU from March to July this year declined sharply due to the impact of the IUU yellow card from EU, plus the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, which reduced demand. However, the exports to this market showed signs of recovery in August and September, then went down in October. In October 2020, the exports to the EU market reached 5.9 million USD, down 8.5% compared to October 2019. In the first 10 months of this year, total exports of this item to the EU reached 38.4 million USD, down 30.6% over the same period in 2019.
China was the 5th largest importer for Vietnamese cephalopod, accounting for 8%. Exports of squid and octopus to China in October 2020 soared by 103% to over US$6 million. In the first 10 months of the year, the total exports to China reached nearly US$37 million, up 56.3% over the same period in 2019. Exports to China recorded the best growth rate in the first 10 months of this year.
In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic which has not yet been controlled worldwide, the supply of raw materials has decreased, the demand for cephalopod imports of the world and the exports from Vietnam are expected to be lower. It is estimated that the exports of Vietnamese cephalopod in 2020 will reach about US$566 million, down about 2% compared to 2019.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the week from April 4th to 10th, 2026, Quang Ngai province intensified its monitoring and law enforcement activities with the determination to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.
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