In August 2023, cephalopod export turnover reached the highest level since the beginning of the year, the decline compared to the same period last year also gradually narrowed.
In the structure of exported cephalopod products, squid accounts for 57%, the remaining octopus accounts for 43%. In the first 8 months of 2023, squid export value decreased by 14%, octopus export decreased by 15% compared to the same period in 2022. Among the exported cephalopod products, processed octopus products (HS code 16) are the least downward trend with a decrease of 4% reaching 33 million USD. Other processed squid (HS 16) decreased the most by 20%, reaching 19 million USD.
Vietnam's top 7 largest cephalopod import markets include Korea, Japan, Thailand, China &HK, Italy, USA, Malaysia. Among them, in August this year, exports to Korea, China & HK, and the US recorded positive growth after many previous months of continuous negative growth.
Cephalopod exports to the Korean market in August this year recorded the first positive growth after 5 consecutive months of negative growth
Cephalopod exports to the Korean market in August this year recorded the first positive growth after 5 consecutive months of negative growth. In August 2023, exports of this product to Korea increased by 8% to reach 26 million USD. In the first 8 months of this year, the export value of cephalopod to this market reached 149 million USD, down 15% compared to the same period last year.
Cephalopod exports to China & Hong Kong markets in August 2023 increased by 16% to reach 8 million USD. In the first 8 months of this year, exports to this market reached 42 million USD, down 18%.
In particular, exports to the US market recorded the highest positive growth of 25% in August this year, reaching nearly 2 million USD. In the first 8 months of this year, exports to this market reached 12 million USD, down 33% over the same period last year.
After Japan's discharge of treated nuclear wastewater on August 24, Japanese consumers may prefer imported seafood products. The Chinese and Korean markets will also reduce seafood imports from Japan.
In an effort to mobilize the EU to remove the IUU yellow card for Vietnam, before the IUU Inspection Team entered Vietnam to conduct the 4th inspection, the working group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development led by Minister Le Minh Hoan visited and Working with European Commission agencies in Brussels, Belgium on September 18. Minister Le Minh Hoan affirmed Vietnam's political determination with its best efforts to best resolve DG MARE's recommendations on repelling and ending IUU fishing, towards a sustainable development. The EU side also wants to support Vietnam to become a world model in sustainable development of the fisheries industry and combating IUU fishing.
Before the above events, Vietnam's cephalopod exports in the following months are expected to gradually narrow the decrease, possibly recording a slight growth compared to the same period last year in the last quarter of this year.
In early 2023, cephalopod exporters face many challenges such as rising inflation, falling market demand, and lack of raw material supply for processing. In order for cephalopod export activities in the last months of the year to stop decreasing and recover, export businesses want to access preferential policies on production capital, develop seaport infrastructure, and flexibility in importing raw materials to serve production needs.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to CPTPP markets reached $264 million in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year-on-year and accounting for 17% of the nation’s total pangasius export turnover. In August alone, export value reached $34 million, inching up 3%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Golden pompano is being selected as a high-value species for the development of high-tech marine aquaculture in Lam Dong Province. In 2026, the provincial Agricultural Extension Center launched a golden pompano farming model using circular HDPE cages in Lien Huong Commune, opening opportunities to apply technology to marine farming at a scale suited to local coastal conditions.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese tilapia is moving into a higher-value segment as brackish-water farmed fish from the Mekong Delta is now being processed for sashimi and exported regularly to Japan.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
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