Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports continue steady growth despite challenges
By the end of April 2025, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports had surpassed USD 215 million, marking an 18% increase year-on-year. Squid exports continued to outpace octopus in terms of growth.
Among key markets, exports to Japan, Thailand, and the U.S. posted solid growth, while shipments to South Korea and the EU saw slight increases. In contrast, exports to China and Hong Kong declined. Notably, Thailand overtook China and Hong Kong to become the third-largest importer.
However, exporters continue to face challenges including high production costs, raw material shortages, weakened consumer demand, and prolonged geopolitical tensions that have driven up shipping rates.
Global market conditions are further impacted by climate change, El Niño events, overfishing, and IUU fishing – all contributing to ongoing supply shortages. Despite these headwinds, exports are expected to rise in the second half of 2025, supported by steady demand and higher prices. Nonetheless, the industry remains under pressure from stricter traceability regulations in the EU and U.S.
VFM
