MEKSEA.COM – According to VASEP, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports continued to perform well through the first 10 months of 2025, supported largely by demand from East Asia and ASEAN. The shift toward ready-to-eat and processed products is becoming a key factor behind this positive momentum.

Export Performance Through October 2025

Vietnam earned 627 million USD from squid and octopus exports by the end of October, a 19% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
October stood out as the strongest month of the year, reaching 83 million USD, up 25% from both September and October last year. This result highlights strong year-end purchasing activity and the industry’s adaptability despite limited domestic raw material supply.

The markets that is dominant is EAST ASEAN and ASEAN: East Asia and ASEAN continued to account for 94% of Vietnam’s total export value.
South Korea remained the largest destination with 38%, followed by Japan at 23%.
Thailand emerged as a fast-growing market, recording 39% growth due to rising demand for snack-style and ready-to-eat squid products.

Shift Toward Ready-to-Eat and Processed Products

In 2025, consumer preferences in major markets showed a clear move toward convenient seafood. Products such as instant dried squid, one-sun dried squid, and pre-boiled or frozen octopus are gaining popularity in Korea, Japan and Thailand.

These items meet expectations for convenience, safety, and ease of preparation, while also providing exporters 20–30% higher margins compared to raw materials. If raw supply stabilizes, export growth in Q4/2025 may continue to rise. Specially mention to Thailand –  A Promising Growth Destination. Thailand is becoming a noteworthy market as its demand for dried and snack-type squid products expands quickly. This creates an opportunity for Vietnamese exporters to introduce more value-added products and strengthen their market presence.

The outlook for 2026

Although 2025 delivered encouraging results, the outlook for 2026 still carries several uncertainties. Ongoing issues such as the EU’s IUU yellow card and the U.S. MMPA red card may continue to limit access to high-value markets and impose stricter regulatory requirements on exporters. These challenges emphasize the importance of stronger compliance and transparent traceability across the supply chain.

For this reason, seafood exporters are focusing on stable, high-demand markets such as Korea, Japan, and Thailand. Developing more value-added products under HS16 will also be essential for maintaining competitiveness and improving profit margins. At the same time, reinforcing traceability systems and ensuring all certifications and documentation meet international standards will help businesses navigate technical barriers and secure sustainable export opportunities worldwide.

Meksea – The Leading Seafood Distributor in Vietnam

As one of the leading seafood distributors in Vietnam, Meksea has aligned closely with this direction – prioritizing high-quality, responsibly sourced products to meet the growing global demand for sustainable seafood. Through its strong partnerships and deep understanding of international markets, Meksea continues to connect global buyers with the best of Vietnam seafood exports and other premium seafood products. Follow us to get more the Vietnam pangasius export update in the market!

SOME OF MEKSEA’S CEPHALOPODS PRODUCTS

Cut Poulp Squid

Whole Cleaned Squid

Baby Octopus

Baby Cuttlefish

Don’t hesitate to contact us to explore more seafood from Vietnam!

Mr. Hoang Duy – Commercial Director

Mobile/WhatsApp/Wechat: + 84 903 872 469

Email: hoang@mekseaconnection.com

Joy Nguyen  (Meksea Team)

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