In the last 5 years (2011-2016), cephalopod imports into China reached the highest in 2014. From 2014 up to now, imports of this product into China were on the downward trend.
In the first half of 2017, China's cephalopod imports reached US$46.7 million; down 65.4% over the same period in 2016. Peru, South Korea, the U.S and Chile were top biggest suppliers to China.
Vietnam stayed as the 20th largest exporter of cephalopod to China and the 4th biggest supplier of live/fresh/chilled squid (HS code 030741) to the market behind South Korea, Japan and Indonesia. Out of top 4 exporters of live/fresh/chilled squid to China, only Vietnam and Indonesia are enjoyed the tax rate of 0% while the others are subject to the tax rate of 6%.
Vietnam also ranked the 3rd supplier of frozen octopus (HS code 030759) to China behind Japan and Mauritania.
In the first six months of 2017, China increased imports of processed squid (HS code 160554; except for smocked item); live/fresh/chilled octopus (HS code 030751); processed octopus (HS code 160555); in which imports of fresh/chilled/frozen octopus (HS code 030751) showed the highest increase of 117.863% over the same period in 2016.
China was the 5th largest buyer of Vietnam cephalopod; accounting for 7.3% of Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to markets.
In 2016, out of cephalopod items exported to China; squid shipments accounted for the main proportion of 86%. Of that, China preferred dried/frozen items (93.2%) than processed products (6.8%).
In 2017, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to this market showed signs of recovery. Up to 15th Sep 2017, Vietnam’s cephalopod exports to the country hit US$31.3 million; up 180.4% over the same period in 2016.
In the coming time, demand for Vietnam cephalopod in China expected to rise.
|
Cephalopod imports into China (Source: ITC) |
||||||
|
Products |
Volume (kg) |
Value (Thousand US$) |
||||
|
Jan-Jun 2016 |
Jan-Jun 2017 |
Variation (%) |
Jan-Jun 2016 |
Jan-Jun 2017 |
Variation (%) |
|
|
Total |
69,305,629 |
14,752,230 |
-78.7 |
135,046 |
46,688 |
-65.4 |
|
Processed squid (except for smocked items) (HS code 160554) |
4,208,830 |
11,343,197 |
169.5 |
7,391 |
33,686 |
355.8 |
|
Frozen squid (HS code 030749) |
64,116,674 |
3,172,204 |
-95.1 |
124,037 |
11,965 |
-90.4 |
|
Frozen/dried/salted octopus (HS code 030759) |
974,234 |
214,630 |
-78.0 |
3,540 |
899 |
-74.6 |
|
Live/fresh/chilled octopus (HS code 030751) |
11 |
12,976 |
117,863.6 |
- |
91 |
|
|
Live/fresh/chilled squid (HS code 030741) |
3,040 |
- |
-100.0 |
59 |
- |
-100.0 |
|
Processed octopus (HS code 160555) |
2,840 |
9,223 |
224.8 |
19 |
47 |
147.4 |
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
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