VIỆT NAM’S SQUID AND OCTOPUS EXPORTS TO THAILAND SURGE, PAVING THE WAY TO A KEY MARKET

Việt Nam’s squid and octopus exports to Thailand grew by 37 per cent in the first half of 2025, signalling the potential for this market to become one of the country’s key destinations for these products.

A squid processing line for export. — Photo of VASEP

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s squid and octopus exports to Thailand grew by 37 per cent in the first half of 2025, signalling the potential for this market to become one of the country’s key destinations for these products.

According to the Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), export value to Thailand reached US$33 million in the first six months, accounting for 10 per cent of Việt Nam’s total squid and octopus export revenue and making Thailand the country’s fourth-largest single export market. Double-digit growth was recorded in both quarters, reflecting stable and expanding demand.

Squid remained the mainstay, with revenue hitting $32.5 million, up 35.6 per cent. Notably, dried, grilled and ready-to-eat squid brought in over $30 million, rising nearly 30 per cent thanks to its convenience and alignment with Thai consumer preferences.

Fresh, live, and frozen squid saw an exceptional surge of 254 per cent, indicating a rapidly increasing demand for raw materials for processing and fresh consumption.

While octopus accounted for a smaller share in value, it also achieved significant growth. Processed octopus exports jumped 250 per cent, while dried, salted, fresh, live and frozen octopus rose by over 43 per cent.

VASEP described Thailand as a major seafood-consuming market with few technical barriers and tastes closely aligned with those of Việt Nam, particularly favouring dried, fresh and processed squid and octopus.

“Given the proximity and evident potential, Thailand can fully develop into one of the key markets for Việt Nam’s squid and octopus sector in the near future,” the association noted.

However, VASEP also warned of mounting competitive pressure as Thailand is diversifying supply sources from China, Argentina and India at lower prices.

Vietnamese enterprises are urged to focus on deep processing, building robust supply chains and meeting both quality and cost requirements to maintain a competitive edge. — VNS

Source: VNS

Related News

MEMBER CORNER / PROMOTIONS

KNIC ENGAGES WITH GOVERNMENT AND HIGH-TECH BUSINESS COMMUNITIES IN CHINA

From Beijing to Shandong, KN Holdings and KN Industrial City are continuing to expand their engagement with government authorities, trade promotion organizations, and high-tech business communities in China. In Beijing, the delegation met with the Center for International Economic and Technological Cooperation under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), exchanging perspectives on industrial and technology cooperation between the two markets.

Sep 24, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

VIETNAM’S TRADE TOPS $825 BILLION BY MID-SEPTEMBER

Figures released on September 21 showed goods trade reached nearly $55 billion in the first 15 days of September alone, bringing cumulative turnover since the beginning of the year to more than $825 billion. The strong growth reflects robust trade flows, with demand for consumer goods and production inputs remaining high.

Sep 23, 2026

TECHNOLOGY

VIỆT NAM'S BUSINESSES MOVE TOWARDS AI AGENTS

Việt Nam’s AI landscape is entering a new phase as businesses move beyond generative AI (GenAI) tools designed to assist human users towards autonomous AI, agentic AI and AI agents that can take action with limited supervision, experts have said. The shift comes as Việt Nam seeks to accelerate science and technology, innovation and digital transformation under Politburo Resolution 57-NQ/TW, issued on December 22, 2024.

Sep 23, 2026

GARMENT / TEXTILE

VIỆT NAM TARGETS $48 BILLION IN TEXTILE-GARMENT EXPORTS

Việt Nam’s textile and garment industry is facing both opportunities and challenges amid complex and unpredictable developments in the global market, prompting businesses to improve growth quality, optimise production costs and enhance adaptability in pursuit of an export turnover of about $48 billion this year. The target is considered an important milestone that requires concerted efforts from management agencies and the business community.

Sep 23, 2026

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

CUTTING LOGISTICS COSTS KEY TO BOOSTING EXPORTS

Reducing costs has become an increasingly urgent priority for import-export activities, particularly logistics costs, a conference in Hà Nội was told on Tuesday. According to Deputy General Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Agency for Foreign Trade, Trần Thanh Hải, import-export activities has remained a bright spot for the economy in recent years, playing an important role and helping drive macroeconomic growth.

Sep 23, 2026

LEGAL UPDATE / POLICY

FLEXIBLE FISCAL POLICY HELPS DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

Việt Nam’s fiscal policy has been implemented in a targeted expansionary manner since early 2026, helping maintain macroeconomic stability and supporting the country’s goal of achieving double-digit economic growth. According to the Ministry of Finance, State budget revenue in the first eight months of 2026 was estimated at VNĐ2.02 quadrillion (US$77.7 billion), equivalent to 80 per cent of the annual estimate and up 16 per cent year-on-year.

Sep 23, 2026