Korea and Japan are the two markets that account for a prominent proportion of Vietnam's squid and octopus imports, accounting for 36% and 22% respectively. China ranks third with 10% but has a high growth rate of 113%. Exports to the US, Spain, France, and Israel also increased strongly: 53%, 152%, 76% and 193% respectively.
Export of squid and octopus to the EU market in the first 8 months of the year reached over US$52 million, up 34% over the same period. Italy, Spain and France are the three largest import markets in the bloc. Exports to Italy decreased slightly by 1% while exports to the other two markets increased by 152% and 76% respectively.
Japan and Korea are the two largest market of Vietnamese squid and octopus
Fresh and frozen octopus, HS code 03, accounts for 83% of total octopus exports. For squid, fresh/frozen products accounted for 49%, grilled dried squid accounted for 42%, the rest was processed squid (9%).
The value of squid exports recorded a higher growth (47%) than octopus exports (24%). Export of processed squid recorded the highest growth rate of 79% among Vietnam's exported squid and octopus products in the first 8 months of this year.
The localities that export the most squid and octopus in Vietnam are Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Kien Giang, and Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Thuan, Soc Trang... Their main export products are frozen octopus, frozen cut octopus, dried squid, unprocessed dried squid, frozen processed octopus, peeled dried squid, octopus Whole octopus cleaned and frozen, frozen squid…
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program is designed as a specialized B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers, providing opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood exporters, gain the latest market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A project titled "Sustainable Shrimp Industry Governance" has been launched in Ca Mau Province with the aim of supporting the transition of the province's shrimp industry toward higher quality, lower emissions, stronger governance capacity, improved supply chain traceability, and the development of a sustainable shrimp brand that meets the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Khanh Hoa Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and the Van Hung Public Service Center, recently organized a training course on disease-free golden pompano seed production. The program is part of a National Agricultural Extension Project aimed at developing industrial-scale seed production models to support sustainable marine aquaculture.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The application of high technology in shrimp farming is delivering positive results in the coastal areas of Vinh Long Province, contributing to improved production efficiency and creating significant potential for further industry expansion. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, the province is focusing on aquaculture zoning, infrastructure investment, and promoting modern, sustainable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Đồng Tháp Province has intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing by strengthening vessel monitoring, law enforcement and seafood traceability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood businesses need solutions to overcome bottlenecks such as labor shortages, difficulty accessing capital, high input costs, and administrative procedures in order to maintain production, adapt to market fluctuations, and effectively exploit export opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The FTA would widen access to markets with strong demand for premium food products in line with the country’s strategy of shifting exports towards increasing added value.
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