Vietnam Frozen Octopus Guide

The fishers are usually small fishermen who lease ships and other resources from the distributors. Distributors then gather octopuses caught by a number of fishermen and sell them to the processor. The processors are often the exporters as well.

As of 2021, Vietnam's main export destinations for frozen octopus include:

South Korea, with 77% of the total value ($194 million of $253 million)

Japan, with 11% of the total value

the US, with 4% of the total value

and the EU, with 4% of the total value

China mainly imports frozen cut octopus and frozen cleaned whole octopus. On the other hand, Japan usually imports frozen breaded octopus, frozen octopus surimi, frozen processed octopus, frozen blanched cut octopus, and frozen boiled octopus. 

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters (VASEP), the most exported octopus products include: frozen whole octopus, frozen processed octopus, and frozen cut octopus. 

The main season runs from July to September while the low season runs from October to June. During the low season, the quality and volume are both lower than usual. 

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters (VASEP), the regions which recently exported the most squid and octopus in Vietnam include: Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Kien Giang, and Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Thuan, Soc Trang. 

To export frozen octopus out of Vietnam, it's necessary to first revise if the product o be exported is not in the official List of aquatic animals banned from export. 

The documents needed to export frozen octopus out of Vietnam include: 

•Export Customs Declaration

•Packing List

•Export Permit

•Bill of Lading

•Sale Contract

•Certificate of Origin

1. The weight of each bag is measured.

2. The block of octopus is taken out of the bag to check quality while frozen.

3. The block of octopus is defrosted

4. The product is measured after defrosted

5. Cook the product

6. Revise yield after cooking

7. Revise quality when eating