In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, marking a 23% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery across multiple markets.
In terms of product structure, squid has emerged as the key growth driver. Squid export value exceeded USD 64 million, up nearly 30%, while octopus exports reached over USD 47 million, increasing by more than 16%. This trend suggests that demand for squid products is recovering faster in the short term.
Regarding markets, Asia continues to serve as the main growth engine. South Korea remains the largest market with nearly USD 42 million, up almost 23%, followed by Japan with nearly USD 26 million, increasing by around 8%. Notably, exports to China surged by more than 85%, and Thailand saw growth of over 41%, indicating a clear improvement in regional demand. In contrast, exports to the EU declined by approximately 14.5%.
Despite the positive outlook, the industry still faces multiple challenges. Similar to other Vietnamese seafood exports, squid and octopus exports are affected by tensions in the Middle East. These geopolitical issues may drive up logistics and transportation costs while prolonging delivery times. Additionally, high fuel prices continue to increase fishing costs, placing pressure on fishermen and raw material supply for processing. Domestic raw material availability also remains unstable, affecting the ability to fulfill orders.
Moreover, the EU’s IUU “yellow card” continues to be a significant barrier, impacting the industry’s reputation and its ability to expand market share in the region. In this context, to sustain growth momentum, businesses need to proactively adapt to cost fluctuations, diversify supply sources, and capitalize on opportunities in Asian markets—which are leading growth in the early part of the year.
