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
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(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.
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(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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