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) 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.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
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