In the first 7 months of this year, Vietnam's squid and octopus exports to the EU grew by 3-digits in April and May, and then grew by double digits in the remaining months. In August, due to social distancing to prevent epidemics, squid and octopus exports to the EU decreased by 15% to nearly 5 million USD. However, thanks to good growth in the previous months, Vietnam's cephalopod exports to the EU in the first eight months of the year still increased by 39% to US$38.8 million. This is the market with the best growth among the 5 main import markets of Vietnam's cephalopod.
Under the impact of the EVFTA Agreement, import tax rates on frozen and processed cephalopod products exported to the EU are 0%, and after the Covid-19 pandemic in the world is better controlled, Vietnam's cephalopod exports to EU has recovered well from the beginning of the year so far.
Among EU member countries, Italy, France and Spain are the three biggest importers of Vietnamese squid and octopus. In August 2021, while cephalopod exports to France and Spain decreased by 81% and 40% respectively, exports to Italy still increased by 38% over the same period last year. As of August this year, the export of cephalopods to Italy, France and Spain respectively reached 20.3 million USD; $3.4 million and $3.2 million, up 69%, 15% and 17% over the same period.
According to ITC, the EU market is currently importing cephalopods from more than 50 countries outside the bloc. In which, Vietnam is the 7th largest supplier to the EU market. Spain, Portugal and France are the top 3 importers of cephalopods in the EU in the first 7 months of this year. In the EU market, the demand for squid and octopus in the retail segment is still high; Restaurants and hotels are gradually opening, increasing the demand for this item. Demand for importing cephalopods from Vietnam to the EU remains good from now until the end of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
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