In Jan-Jul this year, Vietnam’s exports of cephalopod items were on the upward trend. Specifically, in the period, Vietnam tended to increase shipments of squid products with the growth of 62%. Of that, exports of fresh/live/frozen squid, which was the main export product of Vietnam in Jan-Jul 2017, recorded the highest growth of 89% from a year before. Sales of other processed squid increased by 74%, while those of dried/grilled squid went up 21% year on year.
Vietnam’s octopus exports increased by 40% compared to the first 7 months of 2016. Of that, exports of fresh/live/frozen/dried item climbed by 47%, accounting for 83% of Vietnam’s octopus exports in this period. Meanwhile, exports of processed octopus inched up 14%.
Currently, Vietnam cephalopod was destined to 59 markets, up 9 markets over the same period in 2016. In the first 7 months of this year, shipments to top 9 major importing markets all increased from a year before. Of that, the proportion of exports to South Korea, Japan and ASEAN decreased while that to the EU and China was up from the same period of 2016.
South Korea
Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to South Korea continues the good growth. The figure in the first 7 months of 2017 hit US$115 million, up 41% over the same period last year. South Korea remained its 1st rank in top largest buyers of Vietnam cephalopod, accounting for 34%. This was also the leading importer of Vietnam octopus.
Sales of fresh/frozen octopus ocupied the large proportion in Vietnam's cephalopod shipments to the market, followed by those of dried squid and fresh/frozen squid.
Japan
Japan held as the second largest importer of Vietnam cephalopod as well as the biggest one of Vietnam squid. In Jan-Jul 2017, Vietnam’ cephalopod exports to Japan eyed US$77 million, up 41% and accounted for 23% of the total export value.
Recently, production of raw cephalopod in Japan decreased while Yen exchange rate increased which partly caused Japanese importers to increase imports of the item from Vietnam.
EU
The EU ranked the 3rd in top leading importers of Vietnam cephalopod. Exports to the market in the first 7 months of 2017 reached US$63 million, up 96% year on year. In particular, in the period, shipments to France and the Netherlands showed the impressive rise at 3-digit level. Of that, France increased imports of Vietnam squid while the Netherlands boosted those of both squid and octopus items in the first 7 months of this year.
Raw frozen squid (HS code 030749) was the main product imported into the Netherlands. The country bought raw cephalopod for processing and re-exporting to other countries in the EU. The demand for the product in the EU countries in the first months of this year was high, which helped Vietnam's cephalopod sales to the Netherlands increased remarkably.
(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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