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) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
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