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.
(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.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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