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 |
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Thanh Hoa’s shrimp sector is undergoing a strong transformation by accelerating the adoption of high technology, helping to improve productivity, increase profits, and meet market demands. The province currently has about 4,100 hectares of shrimp farming, with output continuing to rise despite stable farming area, mainly due to the shift from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive farming.
(vasep.com.vn) Amid ongoing volatility in global seafood trade, Vietnam’s crab exports have made a fairly positive start to 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover in the first two months of 2026 reached nearly USD 55 million, up 24% compared to the same period in 2025 and more than 2.2 times higher than in the same period of 2024. This indicates that crab exports are entering 2026 with stronger growth momentum, particularly in Asian markets.
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