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) 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.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
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