Peruvian Squid Guide

1) Squid boats – spends around a week to fish squids

2) Processors - Canning, Artisanal curing, Middlemen (freezing), Fresh seafood

3) Second processors – Freezing plants

4) Domestic market or Exports

There are Korean, Chinese and Spanish companies that are fully integrated in Peru; they process the fish and export it directly to their countries. For Peru, however, very little is integrated from processing to final market, because most squid fishing is done by independent artisanal fishing fleets. Squids usually get processed and prepared for exports in one day. Processing capacity varies by each processing facility (30-200 tons per day). Peru processors are usually raw material suppliers and provide intermediate value-added products to the destination markets. Exported frozen squid usually gets processed at the destination market to final market. About 95% of volume is exported to processors at destination markets.

1. Climate changes, especially "El Nino", that may affect production. 

2. Illegal fishing by Chinese fleets

- Available supply may fluctuate each year depending on climate and the migratory characteristic of the squid fishery.

- In some years when they do not have enough catch of giant squids, there is no supply available for exports as Peru processors do not keep much stock.

- Therefore, some small facilities stop operation when there is shortage of raw materials – need to find the correct supplier/processor who will have some kind of stability in raw material supply.

According to data from ITC, here are the main export destinations for Peruvian frozen squid in 2021:

Giant squid can be found in all of the Peruvian coast mostly during the spring and summer. 

Most of Peruvian squid exports are giant squid, frozen. 

Squid catching must comply with the legal norms of Perú, detailed in the decree "Ley general de pesca". A permit is needed for the capture of giant squid.

To export squid, the product must comply with the SANIPÉS standards to obtain the necessary certificate to export.

To export frozen squid to the European Union, in addition to the sanitary and catching certificates and the other documents (quote, contract, invoice and certificate of origin), the TRACES form must be filled.

The certificate of origin can be processed through the the VUCE (Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior) website.  

The main required documents to export squid from Peru include:

•Sanitary Certificate

•Export Customs Declaration

•Sale Contract

•Invoice

•Export Permit

•Bill of Lading

•Certificate of Origin

When receiving the raw material, there should be an inspection of size and cuts or bruises in the product, as well as if the product doesn't contain any external contaminant. Afterward, a first round of weighting should be done, taking care in removing water or ice for it to be exact. The product will then proceed to be filleted and skinned, opening the squid tube and removing shell and other parts. The tips of the squid tubes are to be removed. The product is weighted again, and afterward thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The product is then placed in P.E. sheets (placing should be adequate) and then frozen and afterward packaged in plastic sacks. 

The most common export packaging for Peruvian squid is in cardboard boxes with several plastic sacks containing the product in P.E. sheets (each sack with 20-30 kg of product).