Squid

Biology and habitat

Species description Illex argentinus(1), Species description Dosidicus gigas(2)
The appellation squid covers a wide range of cephalopods. The main commercial species belong to the Ommastrephidae and Liliginidae familes (Illex and Loligo genus). Squids are cephalopods in the superorder Decapodiformes with elongated bodies, large eyes, eight arms and two tentacles.

The main species caught at global level are Jumbo flying squid and Argentine shortfin squid.

Geographical distribution and habitat Illex argentinus(1), Geographical distribution and habitat Dosidicus gigas(2)
Squids are abundant species, among the most landed fishery products in the global seafood market. They have a worldwide distribution and can be found in all seas and oceans.

Resource, exploitation and management

Stock and resource status/conservation measures
There is no conservation measure for squid species.

Production methods and fishing gears Illex argentinus(1), Production methods and fishing gears Dosidicus gigas(2)
The main fishing gears used are the trawls. Other gears include beach‐seines, gillnets, and trammel nets.

Source: Information system on commercial designations

Catches

Evolution of world catches

Squid (all species) catches reached over 3.200.000 tonnes in 2023, i.e. 3,5% of the global catches. Jumbo squid catches amounted to 1.225.798 tonnes and this species was mainly caught by the Peruvian and Chinese fleets. The main squid producers were China and Peru, representing 53% of the global catches in 2023, followed by Indonesia, India, and Argentina (8%, 6%, and 5%, respectively). The EU catches represented 1% of the global captures in 2023. During the last decade (2014-2023), global squid catches decreased in 2016 (-32% in comparison to the previous year) and have progressively increased since (+22%).

Source: FAO

Evolution of EU catches  

Squid catches in the EU reached 40.861 tonnes in 2023. Catches of the Argentine shortfin squid represented 35% of the EU catches. Spain was by far the main producer, representing 62% of the EU catches, followed by France and Portugal (respectively 13% and 8% of the catches). During the last decade (2014-2023), EU squid catches have fluctuated, decreasing overall by 45% in relation to the decrease of the Spanish catches (-53%).

Source: FAO

Aquaculture production

No aquaculture production of European squid has been developed

Processing

There is no PRODCOM code referring to squid

Trade

Combined nomenclature

EU trade of squid products (tonnes –  2024)

Source: EUMOFA

• Extra-EU imports almost reached 225.000 tonnes in 2024, of which 98% were frozen. In 2024, EU imports originated mostly from the Fakland Islands (31% of the volume imported; 69.302 tonnes) and to a lesser extent from India, Morroco and China (representing 17%, 11%, and 11%, respectively). The same year, the main importers within the EU were Spain (63% of the imported volume) and Italy (21%).

• Extra-EU exports: In 2024, export volumes of squid totaled 17.063 tonnes. Exports were made almost exclusively of frozen squids (98%). Spain was by far the first EU exporter, representing 83% of the exported volume. Other EU exporters included Portugal, Italy, and Greece, representing together 12% of the EU exported volume in 2024. China, South Korea, Albania and Morocco were the main destination markets, representing 69% of EU exports.

Source: EUMOFA

Supply balance

EU supply balance (2023) – Tonnes of live weight equivalent – Squid:
Data concern all species of squid

Source: FAO/ EUROSTAT-COMEXT

Supply balance is provided for the year 2023 (trade data for 2023 were taken into account). Detailed trade data provided in the slides 4 and 5 concern the year 2024.
The conversion factors were used to convert net weight of imports and exports of fishery and aquaculture products into live weight equivalents.

Prices along the supply chain (EUR/kg)

First-sale (whole)
First-sale prices are provided for the main EU producers (Spain, France and Italy). The vast majority of frozen first sales occurred in Spain and concerned Argentine shortfin squid. Data concern all species of squid.

(*) From January to October 2025

Wholesale
Wholesale prices are reported for Rungis (France) and Mercamadrid (Madrid, Spain).

(*) From January to November 2024

Retail/Consumption
Retail prices are reported for France and Spain.

(*) Last available year

Data concern all species of squid

Extra-EU import (frozen)
EU imports from third countries concern mainly frozen squids from the species Illex spp, Ommastrephes spp and Loligo spp. Main importers in 2024 were Spain and Italy.

(*) From January to September 2025

Extra-EU export (frozen)
Spain was by far the main EU exporter of squids in 2024. Spanish exports are mainly composed of frozen squids from the species Illex spp, Ommastrephes spp and Loligo spp.

(*) From January to September 2025

Marketing

National lists of commercial designations

Information system on commercial designations and scientific names in all EU languages

Consumption

9th most consumed species in the EU (source: The EU Fish Market – 2025 edition, EUMOFA)

Apparent consumption of squid (all species included) per capita in 2023: 0,61 kg live weight equivalent (source: Supply balance - 2023, EUMOFA)

Nutritional value (Squid, nutrition values per serving 100g) Illex argentinus(1), Nutritional value (Squid, nutrition values per serving 100g) Dosidicus gigas(2)