Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports in the first four months of 2026 are showing clear signs of recovery, but the growth is not evenly distributed across all markets. According to statistics, export turnover for this product group reached US$232 million, a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive increase given that demand for seafood in many markets remains unstable, input costs are still under pressure, and requirements for traceability and quality control are becoming increasingly stringent.
South Korea continues to be the biggest pillar.
In terms of market structure, South Korea maintained its leading position with a turnover of 87 million USD, an increase of 17%, accounting for 37% of Vietnam’s total squid and octopus exports. This market alone contributed an additional approximately 12 million USD compared to the same period last year, being the largest source of growth in the first four months of the year.
Notably, South Korea is not only large in scale but also serves as a “market anchor” for Vietnam’s squid and octopus industry. Demand there is relatively stable, the import system is familiar to Vietnamese businesses, and consumer preferences are compatible with many types of processed products. However, this heavy reliance on a single market is also a concern for businesses. With South Korea accounting for more than one-third of total export value, any fluctuations in inventory, import prices, or quarantine policies can quickly impact orders.
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