Vietnam’s Squid & Octopus Exports Rebound in First Two Months of 2026

Exports to China Surge Over 85% as Standout Highlight

At the start of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus export market has seen a notable recovery. The sector delivered a strong performance in the first two months, with total export value exceeding $111 million, representing a 23% year-on-year increase. Robust purchasing from the Chinese market has been the key driver behind this growth, while the data also reveals clear regional market divergence and ongoing industry challenges.

The explosive growth in exports to China stands out as the brightest spot in Vietnam’s squid and octopus export rebound. During the same period, Vietnam’s exports of these products to China rose by more than 85% year-on-year, far outpacing growth in all other major markets. This surge reflects concentrated restocking demand from Chinese importers, which has directly fueled a wave of new orders and greatly accelerated trade flows between China and Vietnam, becoming a major pillar of growth for Vietnam’s seafood exports.

In terms of product structure, squid and octopus exports show a distinct split, with squid leading the volume. In the first two months, Vietnam’s squid exports reached over $64 million, rising nearly 30% year-on-year. Octopus exports stood at around $47 million, up more than 16%. The faster growth in squid is mainly driven by quicker demand recovery in catering and processing sectors, with strong consumer demand providing solid support for exports.

Regionally, Asia remains the dominant market for Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports, with demand rising across major Asian buyers. South Korea continues to be Vietnam’s largest single export market, importing nearly $42 million worth of products in the first two months, a rise of about 23% year-on-year. Japan recorded steady growth, with imports reaching around $26 million, an increase of 8%. Thailand also saw strong buying interest, with imports surging more than 41%, making it another bright spot in Asia. In sharp contrast to the buoyant Asian market, Europe remained weak: Vietnam’s exports to the EU fell by roughly 14.5% year-on-year, as order recovery remained slow, purchasing sentiment weak, and market expansion stalled.

Despite positive export figures, Vietnam’s squid and octopus export industry faces multiple pressures and constraints that cannot be ignored. On the cost side, ongoing instability in the Middle East has pushed up global shipping costs, increasing transportation expenses and extending delivery times, making it harder for exporters to fulfill orders. Meanwhile, persistently high international fuel prices have directly raised fishing costs, affecting the stability of raw material supply and creating uncertainty for processors.

Regulatory factors also continue to shape Vietnam’s export structure, with the unresolved EU IUU “yellow card” ranking as a critical constraint. This issue has not only slowed customs clearance efficiency but also significantly restricted market expansion in Europe, leading local businesses to act cautiously when accepting EU orders — a major factor behind the decline in exports to the region.

Overall, at the start of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus export market shows a clear pattern of “strong Asia, weak Europe”. Concentrated demand from China and neighboring Asian markets has become the main engine of export growth, with orders increasingly concentrated in the region. Yet the industry still grapples with high costs and regulatory barriers. Addressing cost pressures and breaking through bottlenecks in the European market will be key challenges for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s squid and octopus export sector going forward.

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