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) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
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