AsemconnectVietnam - In the recovery picture of the squid and octopus industry in the first half of 2025, South Korea continued to play the role of the largest import market, contributing more than 100 million USD in turnover, accounting for 36% of the total export value.

This is not only a stable support but also a strategic door to help Vietnamese seafood products maintain their position on the export map.
Processed octopus was one of the strategic directions to help increase the export value of Vietnam's seafood industry.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam's squid and octopus industry witnessed an impressive recovery after a volatile period from 2022 to 2024, with the expectation of surpassing the 700 million USD export turnover mark in 2025. This achievement is not only a bold goal but is also reinforced by positive signals from the first months of the year.
In the first 5 months of 2025, the total export turnover of this product group reached nearly 274 million USD, showing significant growth compared to the same period last year. Specifically, the source recorded an increase of more than 14% or more than 24% compared to the same period last year, a clear demonstration of the strong recovery of the market.
This success has a large contribution from traditional markets, where Vietnam has firmly consolidated its position. South Korea continued to be the largest import market, with a turnover of more than 100 million USD, accounting for 36% of Vietnam's total export value, up 6% over the previous year. The main products favored here include frozen squid and steamed octopus. Japan ranked second, recording nearly 69 million USD and a sharp increase of 19%. Stable demand and the preference for high-quality products such as sashimi and steamed octopus have helped Vietnam expand its market share in this demanding market. Notably, the Chinese market has also shown strong growth in the past two months, after a period of decline at the beginning of the year. Total export turnover to China reached more than 26 million USD, up by 2%, mainly processed products serving the domestic food service industry. The European region is also not out of the positive trend, with export turnover in the first 5 months of the year reaching nearly 15 million USD, up by 11%. The three leading markets in the bloc, Italy, Spain and Belgium, recorded impressive growth rates of 6%, 71% and 24%, respectively.
In addition to traditional markets, new destinations are emerging as important growth drivers. Markets such as the Philippines, UAE, Cambodia and Canada all show great potential with growth rates of over 40% over the same period, opening up many new opportunities in the mid-range and convenience food segments.
To realize the ambitious target of 700 million USD by 2025 and ensure sustainable development, VASEP recommends that businesses continue to promote investment in deep processing, improve product traceability and expand market networks. At the same time, timely support from the State in removing difficulties in raw material sources and procedures for confirming legal exploitation is also a key factor helping the Vietnamese squid and octopus industry reach further in the future.
CK
Source: VITIC/ haiquanonline.com.vn