Steady growth across both quarters Export performance in the first two quarters of this year showed continuous growth in both Q1 and Q2, with each quarter posting double-digit increases. This reflects stable and expanding demand from Thailand. Standout export items included live/fresh/frozen squid and processed octopus.
Squid remains the key export product, earning USD 32.5 million, equivalent to 98.4% of the total value, up 35.6%. Notably, dried and grilled squid (including ready-to-eat dried squid) reached USD 30.24 million, up nearly 30%, continuing to be favored in the Thai market thanks to its convenience and alignment with consumer tastes.
A remarkable highlight was live, fresh, and frozen squid, with export value reaching USD 2.276 million, a sharp 254% surge. This indicates a strong rise in demand for raw materials for processing and fresh consumption in Thailand, suggesting that Vietnam is gradually diversifying its product range to meet varied market needs.
Growth potential from octopus products Although accounting for a small share of total export value, Vietnam’s octopus exports to Thailand still posted impressive growth, reaching USD 0.513 million, up 149.9%. Processed octopus surged by 250.9%, reflecting growing demand for ready-to-eat, value-added products.
Dried, salted, live, fresh, and frozen octopus also showed positive signs with growth of 43.4%. This provides a basis for Vietnamese seafood exporters to consider expanding their octopus product lines, particularly high-value processed products.
Advantages and challenges in the Thai market Thailand is a large seafood-consuming market, especially for squid and octopus. With relatively few technical barriers, it is considered a favorable destination for Vietnamese seafood. Thai consumers share similar tastes with Vietnamese consumers, particularly favoring dried squid, live/fresh squid, and processed octopus—products in which Vietnam has strengths.
However, competition in Thailand is increasing as the country diversifies its supply sources, particularly from China, Argentina, and India—countries with lower product costs. This requires Vietnamese exporters to continually improve product quality while optimizing production and logistics costs to maintain their advantage.
Vietnamese exporters strengthen their presence Contributing to this positive result is the participation of many major exporters. Leading the way is Viko Seafood Co., Ltd. with 32.5% market share, followed by S.R.V. INTERGROUP and Hoa Nam Co., Ltd. Their presence not only affirms Vietnam’s supply capability but also shows the potential to expand market share through stable distribution networks in Thailand.
Prospects for further market expansion With positive growth momentum and stable demand from Thailand, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports are expected to maintain strong growth in the coming months. The breakthroughs in processed products and fresh raw materials indicate that Thai consumer preferences are becoming increasingly diverse, opening opportunities for Vietnamese exporters to develop high-value product lines.
To fully capitalize on these opportunities, companies need to be proactive in product strategies, increase deep processing, and build flexible supply chains that meet quality and cost requirements. With its proximity and clear growth potential, the Thai market could well become one of the key destinations for Vietnam’s squid and octopus sector in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While Vietnam’s shrimp exports to many major markets continued to post positive growth in the first months of 2026, exports to the United States declined, highlighting growing competitive pressures and trade barriers facing the Vietnamese shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Egypt is emerging as one of the most promising destinations for Vietnamese tuna exports in 2026. During the first four months of the year, export turnover to this market exceeded USD 7.3 million, marking a sharp increase compared to the same period over the previous two years. As Egypt’s tuna imports continue to recover and demand for canned tuna remains strong, the market is becoming increasingly attractive for Vietnamese tuna processors and exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to CPTPP member countries reached nearly USD 128 million, accounting for 18% of the country’s total pangasius export value and increasing by 21% compared to the same period in 2025. Demand patterns varied significantly across the bloc: Mexico primarily imported fresh and frozen pangasius products, while Japan and Canada recorded substantial shares of processed products. Australia remained focused on frozen fillets but continued to maintain a portion of processed imports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Despite the slow recovery of the U.S. market and continued trade-related challenges facing Vietnam’s shrimp industry, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation (MPC) has set ambitious targets for 2026. The company aims to produce 68,800 metric tons of finished shrimp products, generate consolidated revenue of VND 19.9 trillion, and achieve VND 1.059 trillion in pre-tax profit. If achieved, these figures would represent the highest revenue and profit levels in the company’s history.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company (HungHau Foods) has been honored at the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Forum, receiving two prestigious awards: “Top 10 Outstanding Asia-Pacific Enterprises 2026” and “Top 10 Outstanding Entrepreneurs” awarded to HungHau Foods CEO, Ms. Nguyen Yen.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a period of sluggish imports in 2025, the Chinese market has returned with strong shrimp purchasing momentum in the first months of 2026. However, alongside rising demand comes an increasingly stringent import control system, covering quarantine requirements, food safety standards, registration procedures, and traceability. This makes China a market that offers both significant opportunities and growing risks for Vietnamese shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Recently, in Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD) and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized a workshop to announce the results of the project “Food Loss Assessment in the Pangasius Value Chain in the Mekong River Region.” The project aims to provide scientific evidence to support the sustainable development of Vietnam’s pangasius industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp prices in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta have recovered since early May, helping to improve farmers’ confidence and accelerate stocking activities for the 2026 farming season. However, farmers remain cautious due to rising input costs, unfavorable weather conditions, and disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 27, the Vietnam Trade Office in India, in collaboration with trade promotion agencies, industry associations, and businesses from both countries, organized the online seminar “Vietnam–India Seafood Trade Forum and Supply-Demand Connectivity 2026.” The event aimed to promote trade cooperation, investment, and seafood supply chain connectivity between Vietnam and India amid the ongoing restructuring of global markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In recent years, Ninh Binh Province has intensified the application of science and technology in aquaculture in order to improve productivity, product quality, and economic efficiency.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn