The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP) said a serious shortage of domestic materials will affect exports in the first half of the year. It advised businesses to take the initiative to import materials at the beginning of the year and continue to pay attention to quality. 

Vietnam is one of the three largest cuttlefish and octopus suppliers to Japan, especially fresh and frozen cuttlefish and processed octopus. However, it is facing fierce competition from the Republic of Korea and China. 
In 2011, the country’s cuttlefish and octopus export turnover reached US$520 million, up 31.3 percent over last year.

Vietnam’s major cuttlefish and octopus importers include the European Union, Japan and several ASEAN countries.