Fresh Cuttlefish Suppliers, Trade & Prices — Market Overview 2026
Derived Products
Dried Cuttlefish, Frozen Cuttlefish
Last Updated
2026-10-11
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
- Fresh Cuttlefish market coverage spans 25 countries.
- 69 exporter companies and 69 importer companies are indexed in the global supply chain intelligence network for this product.
- 182 supplier-linked transactions are summarized across the top 8 countries.
- Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2026.
- Page data last updated on 2026-10-11.
Global Supplier Transactions, Export Activity, and Price Benchmarks for Fresh Cuttlefish
Analyze 182 supplier-linked transactions across the top 8 countries, with monthly unit-price benchmarks to track export competitiveness and sourcing risk for Fresh Cuttlefish.
Fresh Cuttlefish Country YoY Change in Supplier Transactions and Export Momentum
Compare positive and negative YoY shifts in Fresh Cuttlefish to identify accelerating supplier markets and weakening export corridors.
Top YoY shifts for Fresh Cuttlefish: Sri Lanka (-45.3%), India (-19.5%), Chile (+17.7%).
Fresh Cuttlefish Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary
As of 2025-11, benchmark Fresh Cuttlefish country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2026-04, countries with visible Fresh Cuttlefish transaction unit prices: India (5.62 USD / kg).
| Country | YoY Change | Transaction Count | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 | 2026-06 | 2026-07 | 2026-08 | 2026-09 | 2026-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | -19.5% | 147 | 2.75 USD / kg (313,719 kg) | 5.01 USD / kg (55,760 kg) | 4.91 USD / kg (469,615.306 kg) | 4.02 USD / kg (14,000 kg) | 4.56 USD / kg (9,844 kg) | 5.62 USD / kg (65,552 kg) | ||||||
| Sri Lanka | -45.3% | 7 | - (-) | 4.79 USD / kg (23,000 kg) | 0.03 USD / kg (540.3 kg) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| China | - | 1 | - (-) | - (-) | 0.60 USD / kg (500 kg) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| Oman | - | 4 | - (-) | 6.10 USD / kg (8,684 kg) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| Chile | +17.7% | 4 | 3.67 USD / kg (19,590 kg) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| Yemen | - | 3 | 4.14 USD / kg (26,568 kg) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| Vietnam | - | 10 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| Peru | - | 6 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) |
Fresh Cuttlefish Global Supply Chain Coverage
138 companies
69 exporters and 69 importers are mapped for Fresh Cuttlefish.
Exporters and importers can use Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to identify counterparties for Fresh Cuttlefish, benchmark reach, and prioritize outreach by market.
Fresh Cuttlefish Export Supplier Intelligence, Trade Flows, and Price Signals
69 exporter companies are mapped in Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence for Fresh Cuttlefish. Exporters and importers can use company profiles and analytics to evaluate supplier coverage, trading activity, and route opportunities.
Fresh Cuttlefish Top Exporters and Supplier Profiles
Review leading exporter profiles while benchmarking against 69 total exporter companies in the Fresh Cuttlefish supply chain intelligence network. Exporters and importers can unlock company profiles and analytics to qualify partners faster.
(Pakistan)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-02-25
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 50M - 100M
Industries: Food Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale, Farming / Production / Processing / Packing, Food Manufacturing, Trade
Exporting Countries: Iraq, Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Japan, China
Supplying Products: Surimi, Frozen Common Shrimp and Prawn, Frozen Ribbonfish +5
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-08-31
Recently Export Partner Companies: 2
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Fishing Aquaculture, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale, Farming / Production / Processing / Packing, Food Manufacturing
Exporting Countries: Turkiye, United States, Tunisia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Italy, Spain, China
Supplying Products: Frozen Squid, Frozen Octopus, Frozen Cuttlefish +5
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-08-26
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Fishing Aquaculture, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / Packing, Food Manufacturing, Trade
Exporting Countries: Germany, Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Netherlands, Belgium, Japan, China, Vietnam
Supplying Products: Frozen Common Shrimp and Prawn, Frozen Ribbonfish, Frozen Coldwater Shrimp and Prawn +5
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-01-31
Recently Export Partner Companies: 4
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Industries: Fishing Aquaculture, Food Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / Packing, Food Manufacturing, Trade
Exporting Countries: China, Greece, Malaysia, Germany, Thailand, Portugal, Italy, Vietnam, United States, Spain
Supplying Products: Frozen Cuttlefish, Frozen Squid, Frozen Octopus +5
(Chile)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-11-21
Recently Export Partner Companies: 2
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 10M - 50M
Industries: Brokers And Trade Agencies, Fishing Aquaculture, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / Packing, Food Manufacturing, Trade
Exporting Countries: Dominican Republic, Italy, China, South Korea, Spain, Vietnam, Japan
Supplying Products: Fresh Squid, Frozen Squid, Fresh Cuttlefish +5
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-01-27
Recently Export Partner Companies: 2
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 10M - 50M
Industries: Fishing Aquaculture, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale, Farming / Production / Processing / Packing, Food Manufacturing
Exporting Countries: Malaysia, United States, Vietnam, Greece, Tunisia, France, Cameroon, China, Spain, Italy
Supplying Products: Frozen Squid, Frozen Cuttlefish, Frozen Common Shrimp and Prawn +5
See the full picture in Tridge Eye: full price and trade history · 725,009+ company profiles
Fresh Cuttlefish Global Exporter Coverage
69 companies
Exporter company count is a key signal for Fresh Cuttlefish supply depth and sourcing optionality.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics to narrow Fresh Cuttlefish opportunities by country, product, and value-chain role, then open company profiles to validate fit.
Tridge Ark · Sourcing Feasibility Check
Where should you be sourcing Fresh Cuttlefish from?
Just tell us your spec and the volume you need. We'll check whether it's actually sourceable, and which origins and suppliers fit.
Free feasibility check, no account required.
Fresh Cuttlefish Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks
69 importer companies are mapped for Fresh Cuttlefish demand intelligence. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to prioritize buyers, distributors, and downstream demand partners by market.
Fresh Cuttlefish Top Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners
Review leading buyer profiles and compare them against 69 total importer companies tracked for Fresh Cuttlefish. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate buyer quality and demand concentration.
(Vietnam)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-01-15
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Food Manufacturing, Food Services And Drinking Places, Food Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: -
(Italy)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-08-31
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 50M - 100M
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging, Food Services And Drinking Places
Value Chain Roles: -
(Spain)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-01-30
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 51 - 100 Employees
Industries: Fishing Aquaculture, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging
Value Chain Roles: -
(China)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-11-24
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging, Food Wholesalers, Others
Value Chain Roles: Vietnam, Brazil, India, United States, Ecuador
(Italy)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-04-14
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Industries: Food Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Tanzania, Ecuador
(China)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-01-27
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Industries: Brokers And Trade Agencies, Food Manufacturing, Food Wholesalers, Others
Value Chain Roles: Philippines
See the full picture in Tridge Eye: full price and trade history · 725,009+ company profiles
Global Importer Coverage
69 companies
Importer company count highlights the current depth of demand-side visibility for Fresh Cuttlefish.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Fresh Cuttlefish buyers, compare partner density by country, and refine GTM priorities.
Tridge Ark · Export Feasibility Check
Your Fresh Cuttlefish — which buyers could it sell to?
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Global Wholesale Supplier Price Trends by Country for Fresh Cuttlefish
Fresh Cuttlefish Monthly Wholesale Supplier Price Summary by Country
Monthly Fresh Cuttlefish wholesale unit-price benchmarks by country for export and sourcing decisions.
In 2026-04, countries with visible Fresh Cuttlefish wholesale unit prices: Spain (11.17 USD / kg), South Korea (10.00 USD / kg), Ukraine (7.83 USD / kg), Thailand (7.38 USD / kg).
| Country | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 | 2026-06 | 2026-07 | 2026-08 | 2026-09 | 2026-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 10.42 USD / kg | 11.89 USD / kg | 10.56 USD / kg | 11.64 USD / kg | 11.12 USD / kg | 11.17 USD / kg | ||||||
| South Korea | 10.07 USD / kg | 10.05 USD / kg | 10.05 USD / kg | 10.04 USD / kg | 9.94 USD / kg | 10.00 USD / kg | ||||||
| Thailand | 7.44 USD / kg | 7.52 USD / kg | 7.57 USD / kg | 7.62 USD / kg | 7.36 USD / kg | 7.38 USD / kg | ||||||
| Ukraine | 8.14 USD / kg | 8.12 USD / kg | - | 7.95 USD / kg | 7.83 USD / kg | 7.83 USD / kg |
Fresh Cuttlefish Wholesale Price Competitiveness by Major Exporting Countries
Compare Fresh Cuttlefish wholesale price ranges and YoY changes across the top 4 exporting countries to benchmark supplier price competitiveness.
| Rank | Country | Average | Lower | Upper | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 11.86 USD / kg | 9.86 USD / kg | 14.57 USD / kg | +2.1% |
| 2 | South Korea | 10.10 USD / kg | 0.95 USD / kg | 22.38 USD / kg | +8.3% |
| 3 | Thailand | 7.38 USD / kg | 5.08 USD / kg | 9.99 USD / kg | +3.2% |
| 4 | Ukraine | 7.98 USD / kg | 7.72 USD / kg | 8.30 USD / kg | -3.2% |
Latest Fresh Cuttlefish Wholesale Export Price Updates
Use the latest 5 Fresh Cuttlefish wholesale updates to validate current export price points and origin-level supplier changes.
| Date | Entry Name | Unit Price (USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | JIB** * ********* ***** * ***** ****** ***** ******* ****** | 10.49 USD / kg | |
| 2026-10-01 | หมึ******* * ******** ******** ***** ***** | 5.95 USD / kg | |
| 2026-10-01 | (선)**** ** * **** ** | 8.81 USD / kg | |
| 2026-10-01 | สัต***** ************* *** * | 7.21 USD / kg | |
| 2026-10-01 | หมึ****** * | 21.11 USD / kg |
Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Aquatic Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupCephalopods (cuttlefish)
Scientific NameSepia spp. (commonly Sepia officinalis in the NE Atlantic/Mediterranean; Sepia pharaonis in Indian Ocean trade)
PerishabilityHigh
Growing Conditions
- Marine species typically harvested from coastal and continental shelf waters; habitat and seasonality vary by species and fishing ground
- Availability is influenced by ocean temperature, productivity, and local spawning cycles, affecting catch timing and size composition
Main VarietiesSepia officinalis group (NE Atlantic/Mediterranean marketing), Sepia pharaonis group (Indian Ocean/Indo-Pacific marketing), Sepiella spp. (regional Asian trade)
Consumption Forms
- Fresh whole cuttlefish for retail seafood counters and foodservice
- Fresh cleaned/eviscerated cuttlefish for culinary preparation (grilling, frying, stewing)
Grading Factors
- Freshness condition (odor, firmness, appearance)
- Size/weight class (often traded as weight grades or count per kilogram)
- Skin and mantle integrity (tears, bruising, excessive slime)
- Handling damage and cleanliness (sand, ink leakage depending on buyer preference)
Market
Fresh cuttlefish is a globally traded cephalopod product sourced primarily from wild capture, with trade often structured around short supply chains because quality degrades quickly without continuous icing and refrigeration. Supply is prominent in the Mediterranean and Northwest Africa (notably Spain and Morocco) and in parts of Asia (including China, India, and Indonesia), while import demand is concentrated in Southern Europe and Northeast Asia. Fresh trade is typically regional or time-sensitive (including air freight for premium segments), while longer-distance flows often shift to chilled-frozen or processed forms. Market dynamics are strongly influenced by fisheries management measures, catch variability, and traceability requirements (e.g., catch documentation and IUU controls in major importing jurisdictions).
Major Producing Countries
- MoroccoMajor cephalopod fishing nation supplying Mediterranean/European markets; cuttlefish present within mixed cephalopod landings
- SpainKey producer in the Mediterranean and an EU distribution and processing hub for cephalopods
- ChinaLarge producer and processor of cephalopods, with both domestic consumption and export-oriented handling
- IndiaSignificant cephalopod capture and export sector, supplying Asian and European demand
- IndonesiaImportant cephalopod fishing nation in Southeast Asia with regional trade linkages
Major Exporting Countries
- MoroccoMajor exporter of cephalopods into the EU and adjacent markets, including fresh/chilled shipments where logistics allow
- IndiaEstablished exporter of cuttlefish and squid product forms through seafood export supply chains
- SpainExports and re-exports cephalopods within the EU single market and to external destinations via processing and trading firms
- VietnamExports cephalopods through processing hubs; fresh trade tends to be regional while frozen forms support longer distances
- ThailandExports cephalopods largely through processed/frozen channels; fresh exports are more limited and time-sensitive
Major Importing Countries
- SpainMajor import and distribution hub for cephalopods in Europe; strong domestic consumption and processing demand
- ItalyLarge consumer market for cuttlefish in Mediterranean cuisine; imports support retail and foodservice demand
- JapanHigh-value seafood market with demand for freshness and traceability; imports span multiple cephalopod species and forms
- South KoreaStrong cephalopod consumption; imports complement domestic landings and seasonal availability
- PortugalMediterranean/Atlantic consumer market where imports supplement domestic fisheries supply
Specification
Major VarietiesSepia officinalis (common cuttlefish), Sepia pharaonis (pharaoh cuttlefish), Sepiella spp. (various cuttlefish species marketed regionally)
Physical Attributes
- Intact skin and mantle with minimal tearing or bruising; clean appearance with no excessive slime
- Firm texture and fresh sea-like odor (absence of sour or ammoniacal notes) as core acceptance criteria
- Whole vs cleaned presentation (e.g., eviscerated; ink sac retained/removed) varies by buyer specification and destination use
Compositional Metrics
- Buyer specifications commonly reference freshness/quality test results (e.g., sensory scoring and microbiological criteria) alongside size grading
- Contaminant monitoring (e.g., heavy metals in seafood compliance programs) may be relevant depending on origin waters and importing market rules
Grades
- Size grading by weight class (or count per kilogram) combined with freshness class (sensory condition) is common in trade specifications
- Import-market compliance typically requires validated species identification and catch/lot traceability documentation in addition to quality grading
Packaging
- Expanded polystyrene (EPS) seafood boxes with flake/crushed ice and absorbent liners for fresh/chilled trade
- Food-grade plastic liners and clear lot labeling (species, harvest/catch date where available, catch area/gear where required) to support traceability and handling
Supply Chain
Value Chain
- Landing/auction or direct offload -> rapid icing and chilling -> sorting and size grading -> (optional) cleaning/evisceration -> chilled distribution to wholesale/retail/foodservice or air freight for premium markets
Demand Drivers
- Strong culinary demand in Southern Europe (Mediterranean cuisine) and Northeast Asia, supporting steady import flows
- Preference for freshness and texture in premium segments, encouraging time-sensitive chilled logistics over long-distance routes
- Foodservice and seafood-counter retail demand for whole and cleaned presentations, with specifications tailored to local culinary use
Temperature
- Immediate icing after capture and continuous near-0°C chilled handling are critical to slow spoilage and preserve texture
- Temperature abuse quickly reduces quality and shortens sellable life, making route planning and rapid clearance essential for fresh shipments
Shelf Life
- Fresh cuttlefish has a short commercial window even under good icing/refrigeration, so shipment timing and turnover are central to value preservation
Risks
Fisheries Management HighFresh cuttlefish supply is fundamentally constrained by wild-capture availability and fisheries management actions (closures, effort limits, quota changes). Catch variability and regulatory measures can rapidly tighten supply, and the product’s short freshness window amplifies disruption impacts by limiting the ability to buffer via long transit or extended storage.Maintain multi-origin sourcing options (Mediterranean/Northwest Africa/Asia), pre-qualify substitute specifications (fresh vs frozen), and use catch-documentation-ready suppliers to avoid border delays.
Regulatory Compliance HighAccess to key import markets can be disrupted by non-compliance with IUU controls and catch documentation/traceability rules, including vessel and catch-area documentation expectations and importer due diligence requirements.Implement end-to-end traceability (vessel/landing/lot), verify catch documentation before shipment, and use validated species identification and labeling controls.
Logistics MediumFresh cuttlefish is highly sensitive to delays and temperature excursions; port congestion, air-cargo constraints, and slow customs clearance can cause rapid quality loss and claims/rejections.Use time-definite routes, pre-clear documentation, require icing/temperature-control SOPs at each handoff, and align packing formats to destination handling capabilities.
Food Safety MediumAs a chilled seafood item, fresh cuttlefish is vulnerable to microbial spoilage and cross-contamination if hygiene and cold-chain controls fail; importing markets may enforce strict hygiene, labeling, and contaminant compliance expectations.Apply HACCP-based controls, enforce sanitation and rapid chilling, and use routine microbiological and contaminant testing aligned to destination-market requirements.
Sustainability
- Fisheries stock status uncertainty and potential overfishing pressures for cephalopod resources, with sustainability scrutiny increasing in major import markets
- IUU fishing risk in seafood supply chains and the need for robust catch documentation and traceability (especially for access to regulated markets)
- Bycatch and habitat impacts associated with some fishing gears (including trawl-associated seabed disturbance concerns in certain fisheries)
Labor & Social
- Forced labor and human rights risks have been documented in parts of the global fishing sector; buyers increasingly require labor due diligence and vessel-level transparency
- Occupational safety risks for fishers and shore workers, including long working hours, onboard safety hazards, and seasonal labor vulnerabilities
FAQ
Which regions dominate fresh cuttlefish trade flows?Trade is anchored by Mediterranean and Northwest African supply into Southern Europe (notably Spain, Italy, and Portugal), with additional supply and demand centered in Asia (including China, India, Japan, and South Korea). Because the product is highly perishable, truly “fresh” shipments tend to be regional or time-sensitive compared with frozen cephalopod trade.
What is the single biggest global risk for fresh cuttlefish supply continuity?The most critical risk is wild-capture availability and fisheries management disruption (closures, effort limits, quota changes, and catch variability). Fresh cuttlefish cannot be easily buffered with long storage without shifting to frozen forms, so sudden supply tightening or regulatory action can translate quickly into shortages and price volatility.
Sources
Fresh Cuttlefish Country Coverage for Suppliers, Export Flows, and Prices
Explore country-level Fresh Cuttlefish market pages for supplier coverage, trade flows, and price benchmarks.
All country market pages: South Korea, Sri Lanka, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, El Salvador, Thailand, Ukraine, United States, Vietnam, Yemen
Tridge Ark · Export & Sourcing Feasibility Checks
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Related Fresh Cuttlefish Product Categories
Browse parent, sub, derived, and raw-material product market pages related to Fresh Cuttlefish.
Derived products: Dried Cuttlefish, Frozen Cuttlefish
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