Frozen Cuttlefish Suppliers, Trade & Prices — Market Overview 2026

Raw Materials
Fresh Cuttlefish
Last Updated
2026-10-11
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Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
  • Frozen Cuttlefish market coverage spans 68 countries.
  • 512 exporter companies and 745 importer companies are indexed in the global supply chain intelligence network for this product.
  • 8,559 supplier-linked transactions are summarized across the top 20 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 Frozen Cuttlefish

Analyze 8,559 supplier-linked transactions across the top 20 countries, with monthly unit-price benchmarks to track export competitiveness and sourcing risk for Frozen Cuttlefish.

Frozen Cuttlefish Country YoY Change in Supplier Transactions and Export Momentum

Compare positive and negative YoY shifts in Frozen Cuttlefish to identify accelerating supplier markets and weakening export corridors.
Top YoY shifts for Frozen Cuttlefish: Thailand (+251.5%), Philippines (+69.0%), Spain (+54.3%).

Frozen Cuttlefish Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary

As of 2025-11, benchmark Frozen Cuttlefish country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2026-04, countries with visible Frozen Cuttlefish transaction unit prices: Vietnam (10.22 USD / kg), Thailand (8.80 USD / kg), India (5.10 USD / kg), Chile (2.01 USD / kg), Peru (1.89 USD / kg).
CountryYoY ChangeTransaction Count2025-112025-122026-012026-022026-032026-042026-052026-062026-072026-082026-092026-10
Vietnam-25.7%1,0446.53 USD / kg (1,198,407.308 kg)6.59 USD / kg (1,025,981.76 kg)7.56 USD / kg (769,097.399 kg)9.26 USD / kg (67,608.64 kg)9.86 USD / kg (92,401 kg)10.22 USD / kg (112,571.04 kg)
Indonesia+31.6%3854.39 USD / kg (585,189.098 kg)4.51 USD / kg (1,085,435.959 kg)4.65 USD / kg (628,591.702 kg)- (-)- (-)- (-)
Thailand+251.5%1266.66 USD / kg (41,165 kg)8.85 USD / kg (10,250 kg)9.80 USD / kg (6,850 kg)- (-)7.94 USD / kg (425 kg)8.80 USD / kg (16,527 kg)
Oman-1.7%1615.29 USD / kg (429,840 kg)5.26 USD / kg (548,628 kg)5.33 USD / kg (123,000 kg)- (-)- (-)- (-)
Malaysia+21.8%245.52 USD / kg (12,140 kg)6.07 USD / kg (684 kg)- (-)5.52 USD / kg (54,160 kg)- (-)- (-)
China+37.6%4- (-)4.63 USD / kg (14,160 kg)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)
India+3.0%5,4155.46 USD / kg (7,915,708.198 kg)4.94 USD / kg (1,986,158.43 kg)5.27 USD / kg (1,692,429.552 kg)4.74 USD / kg (245,620 kg)4.96 USD / kg (2,324,519.249 kg)5.10 USD / kg (8,822,852.37 kg)
Peru-24.5%1,2662.96 USD / kg (1,787,106.28 kg)2.61 USD / kg (2,090,899.84 kg)2.08 USD / kg (1,453,381 kg)1.95 USD / kg (3,156,105.9 kg)1.83 USD / kg (4,334,016.001 kg)1.89 USD / kg (5,867,154.5 kg)
Spain+54.3%167.95 USD / kg (27,516 kg)7.98 USD / kg (24,744 kg)- (-)- (-)29.69 USD / kg (7,080 kg)- (-)
Chile-21.1%433.25 USD / kg (153,044 kg)- (-)- (-)2.18 USD / kg (27,000 kg)3.00 USD / kg (44,000 kg)2.01 USD / kg (54,000 kg)
Frozen Cuttlefish Global Supply Chain Coverage
1,257 companies
512 exporters and 745 importers are mapped for Frozen Cuttlefish.
Exporters and importers can use Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to identify counterparties for Frozen Cuttlefish, benchmark reach, and prioritize outreach by market.

Frozen Cuttlefish Export Supplier Intelligence, Trade Flows, and Price Signals

512 exporter companies are mapped in Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence for Frozen Cuttlefish. Exporters and importers can use company profiles and analytics to evaluate supplier coverage, trading activity, and route opportunities.

Frozen Cuttlefish Top Exporters and Supplier Profiles

Review leading exporter profiles while benchmarking against 512 total exporter companies in the Frozen Cuttlefish supply chain intelligence network. Exporters and importers can unlock company profiles and analytics to qualify partners faster.
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-08-31
Recently Export Partner Companies: 5
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Industries: Fishing Aquaculture, Food Manufacturing, Food Wholesalers, Others
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale, Farming / Production / Processing / Packing, Food Manufacturing, Others, Trade
Exporting Countries: Germany, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Turkiye, Tunisia, Vietnam, United States, Greece, China, Spain
Supplying Products: Frozen Squid, Frozen Cuttlefish, Frozen Common Shrimp and Prawn +5
(Peru)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-07-31
Recently Export Partner Companies: 21
Industries: Freight Forwarding And Intermodal, Shipping And Water Transport
Value Chain Roles: Logistics, Trade
Exporting Countries: Netherlands, Mexico, Thailand, Ecuador, Spain, Russia, Taiwan, United States, Japan, China
Supplying Products: Frozen Squid, Frozen Cuttlefish, Flying Fish Roe +5
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-08-25
Recently Export Partner Companies: 4
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Industries: Brokers And Trade Agencies, Fishing Aquaculture, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / Packing, Food Manufacturing, Trade
Exporting Countries: Turkiye, Tunisia, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Greece, China
Supplying Products: Frozen Squid, Frozen Cuttlefish, Frozen Common Shrimp and Prawn +5
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-08-26
Recently Export Partner Companies: 11
Employee Size: 501 - 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 10M - 50M
Industries: Food Manufacturing, Food Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: Food Manufacturing, Trade
Exporting Countries: Vietnam, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Kuwait, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China
Supplying Products: Frozen Pomfrets, Frozen Squid, Frozen Cuttlefish +5
(Vietnam)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-01-28
Recently Export Partner Companies: 2
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Fishing Aquaculture, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging, Food Wholesalers, Others
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale, Farming / Production / Processing / Packing, Food Manufacturing, Trade
Exporting Countries: Hong Kong, China, Vietnam
Supplying Products: Frozen Squid, Frozen Cuttlefish, Frozen Cleaned Squid +1
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-08-24
Recently Export Partner Companies: 6
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 10M - 50M
Industries: Fishing Aquaculture, Food Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / Packing, Trade
Exporting Countries: Netherlands, Cyprus, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, Spain, Greece, Thailand, United States, Italy
Supplying Products: Frozen Cuttlefish, Frozen Squid, Frozen Octopus +5
See the full picture in Tridge Eye: full price and trade history · 725,009+ company profiles
Frozen Cuttlefish Global Exporter Coverage
512 companies
Exporter company count is a key signal for Frozen Cuttlefish supply depth and sourcing optionality.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics to narrow Frozen Cuttlefish opportunities by country, product, and value-chain role, then open company profiles to validate fit.
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Frozen Cuttlefish Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks

745 importer companies are mapped for Frozen Cuttlefish demand intelligence. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to prioritize buyers, distributors, and downstream demand partners by market.

Frozen Cuttlefish Top Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners

Review leading buyer profiles and compare them against 745 total importer companies tracked for Frozen Cuttlefish. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate buyer quality and demand concentration.
(Spain)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-08-31
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD Over 1B
Industries: Fishing Aquaculture, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging
Value Chain Roles: Mexico, South Korea, United States
(Hong Kong)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-01-28
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Food Wholesalers, Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(Vietnam)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-01-23
Recently Import Partner Companies: 2
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 10M - 50M
Industries: Fishing Aquaculture, Food Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: -
(Spain)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-08-31
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 10M - 50M
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging
Value Chain Roles: -
(Vietnam)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-04-24
Recently Import Partner Companies: 3
Industries: Beverage Manufacturing, Fishing Aquaculture, Food Manufacturing, Food Packaging, Food Wholesalers, Others
Value Chain Roles: Hong Kong, China, Vietnam
(Vietnam)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-12-25
Recently Import Partner Companies: 2
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
See the full picture in Tridge Eye: full price and trade history · 725,009+ company profiles
Global Importer Coverage
745 companies
Importer company count highlights the current depth of demand-side visibility for Frozen Cuttlefish.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Frozen Cuttlefish buyers, compare partner density by country, and refine GTM priorities.
Tridge Ark · Export Feasibility Check
Your Frozen Cuttlefish — which buyers could it sell to?
Just tell us what you make. We'll see whether you're ready to export today and which markets suit your offer.
Free feasibility check, no account required.

Global Wholesale Supplier Price Trends by Country for Frozen Cuttlefish

Frozen Cuttlefish Monthly Wholesale Supplier Price Summary by Country

Monthly Frozen Cuttlefish wholesale unit-price benchmarks by country for export and sourcing decisions.
In 2026-04, countries with visible Frozen Cuttlefish wholesale unit prices: Spain (8.64 USD / kg), France (7.62 USD / kg).
Country2025-112025-122026-012026-022026-032026-042026-052026-062026-072026-082026-092026-10
Spain8.10 USD / kg8.20 USD / kg8.30 USD / kg8.72 USD / kg8.52 USD / kg8.64 USD / kg
France7.52 USD / kg7.61 USD / kg7.55 USD / kg7.66 USD / kg7.51 USD / kg7.62 USD / kg
South Korea-4.95 USD / kg----

Frozen Cuttlefish Wholesale Price Competitiveness by Major Exporting Countries

Compare Frozen Cuttlefish wholesale price ranges and YoY changes across the top 3 exporting countries to benchmark supplier price competitiveness.
RankCountryAverageLowerUpperYoY
1Spain8.41 USD / kg7.29 USD / kg9.72 USD / kg+10.5%
2France7.53 USD / kg7.28 USD / kg7.67 USD / kg+2.1%
3South Korea4.95 USD / kg4.95 USD / kg4.95 USD / kg-

Latest Frozen Cuttlefish Wholesale Export Price Updates

Use the latest 5 Frozen Cuttlefish wholesale updates to validate current export price points and origin-level supplier changes.
DateEntry NameUnit Price (USD) 
2026-10-01SEI*** ******** ********* **** * ******* ******7.31 USD / kg
2026-09-01(냉)**** *** * **** **10.95 USD / kg
2026-08-01(냉)******** * *** *** *** *** *****48.65 USD / kg
2026-07-01(냉)**** ****** * **** ***0.46 USD / kg
2026-06-01(선)***** **** * **** **27.49 USD / kg
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Classification

Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFrozen
Industry PositionPrimary Fishery Product

Raw Material

Commodity GroupCephalopods (marine molluscs)
Scientific NameSepia spp. (Family Sepiidae; cuttlefishes)
PerishabilityMedium (frozen; cold-chain dependent)
Growing Conditions
  • Wild-capture marine fisheries; typically continental shelf and upper-slope habitats with demersal/benthic association.
  • Some commercially important cuttlefish species are restricted to shallower waters (often <200 m), with seasonal migrations and spawning aggregations reported for some species.
Main VarietiesSepia officinalis (common cuttlefish), Sepia pharaonis (pharaoh cuttlefish), Sepia esculenta (golden cuttlefish), Sepiella inermis (spineless cuttlefish)
Consumption Forms
  • Cooked seafood dishes (whole or cut pieces; commonly used in Mediterranean cuisines)
  • Further-processed formats (rings/strips, breaded items, prepared meals)
  • Traded in fresh, frozen, canned and dried forms depending on market channel
Grading Factors
  • Species identification (where required by buyer and labeling rules)
  • Size grade (pieces/kg or g/piece)
  • Presentation (whole, cleaned, tubes/mantles, tentacles, rings/strips)
  • Glaze percentage and net weight compliance
  • Absence of dehydration/freezer burn and physical damage

Market

Frozen cuttlefish is a globally traded cephalopod product, commonly captured in marine fisheries and shipped through frozen cold chains to major consumption markets. In international trade statistics it is often proxied using HS 030743 ("cuttle fish and squid, frozen"), meaning reported trade flows may combine cuttlefish with squid. Supply is tied to capture-fishery seasonality, quotas/closures, and high interannual variability typical of short-lived cephalopod populations, creating price and availability swings. Key supplier regions include Southeast Asia, Northwest Africa, the Northwest Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean basin, while Spain, Italy, Japan and the Republic of Korea are repeatedly cited as major consuming/import markets for cephalopods.
Market GrowthMixed (recent market reporting (2024–2025))demand remains strong in key consuming regions, while supply alternates between tightness and regional gluts due to highly variable cephalopod landings
Major Producing Countries
  • ChinaMajor harvesting country for cuttlefishes and bobtail squids in FAO statistical areas; also a major processor/trader in global cephalopod supply chains.
  • ThailandLeading harvesting country in multiple Indo-Pacific FAO statistical areas for cuttlefishes and bobtail squids.
  • MoroccoLeading harvesting country in FAO Atlantic Eastern Central area for cuttlefishes and bobtail squids; prominent in export-oriented cephalopod trade.
  • MauritaniaSignificant harvesting country in FAO Atlantic Eastern Central area for cuttlefishes and bobtail squids; part of Northwest Africa cephalopod supply base.
  • IndonesiaSignificant harvesting country in Indo-Pacific FAO statistical areas for cuttlefishes and bobtail squids.
  • MalaysiaSignificant harvesting country in FAO Indian Ocean Eastern and Pacific Western Central areas for cuttlefishes and bobtail squids.
  • YemenSignificant harvesting country in FAO Indian Ocean Western area for cuttlefishes and bobtail squids.
  • TunisiaSignificant harvesting country in the Mediterranean and Black Sea FAO statistical area for cuttlefishes and bobtail squids.
Major Exporting Countries
  • MoroccoFrequently cited as a major exporter of cephalopod products with established export channels to Spain and Japan.
  • MauritaniaNorthwest Africa supplier in cephalopod trade; subject to fishery management measures (seasons/quotas) that can change export availability.
  • ChinaMajor supplier and processing hub for cephalopod products in global markets.
  • ThailandImportant Indo-Pacific harvesting and processing country for cephalopod products.
  • IndonesiaImportant Indo-Pacific harvesting and processing country for cephalopod products.
  • IndiaCited among important cephalopod producer/trader countries in global supply discussions.
  • PeruIdentified in market reporting as a key producing area affecting global squid/cuttlefish availability.
  • ArgentinaIdentified in market reporting as a key producing area affecting global squid/cuttlefish availability.
Major Importing Countries
  • SpainConsistently cited as a major cephalopod consumption and import market; also acts as a redistribution/processing hub within Europe.
  • ItalyConsistently cited as a major cephalopod consumption and import market.
  • JapanConsistently cited as a major cephalopod consumption and import market.
  • South KoreaRepeatedly referenced in market reporting as an important Asian import market for cephalopod products.

Specification

Major VarietiesSepia officinalis (common cuttlefish), Sepia pharaonis (pharaoh cuttlefish), Sepia esculenta (golden cuttlefish), Sepiella inermis (spineless cuttlefish)
Physical Attributes
  • Traded as whole (often with skin) or cleaned presentations (mantle/tube and tentacles); quality is sensitive to physical damage and dehydration during frozen storage.
  • Color and surface appearance can be affected by handling and frozen storage conditions (e.g., dehydration/freezer burn if unprotected).
Compositional Metrics
  • Glaze (ice coating) percentage and net weight are common commercial specification points for frozen cephalopod products.
  • Moisture/added-water controls (where applicable) are often part of buyer specifications and destination compliance expectations.
Grades
  • Size grading (e.g., pieces per kg or grams per piece) is commonly used for cuttlefish in international transactions.
  • Presentation grading (whole, cleaned, tubes, tentacles, rings/strips) is commonly used alongside size grades.
Packaging
  • Bulk master cartons with inner polybags are common for foodservice and secondary processing channels.
  • Block-frozen formats and IQF formats are common; products may be glazed and/or wrapped to reduce dehydration and oxidation in storage.
ProcessingPrimary processing commonly includes washing/cleaning, sorting by size/presentation, freezing (block or IQF), glazing or wrapping, and frozen storage at controlled temperatures.Glazing is widely used for frozen fishery products to reduce dehydration and oxidation during cold storage.

Supply Chain

Value Chain
  • Landing/receiving (or onboard handling) -> chilling/icing -> sorting and grading -> cleaning/evisceration (as required) -> freezing (block or IQF) -> glazing/wrapping -> packaging -> frozen storage -> reefer transport -> importer cold storage -> wholesale/distribution -> foodservice/retail
Demand Drivers
  • Established cephalopod consumption in Spain and Italy (Mediterranean cuisine) supports steady import demand for frozen product.
  • Strong Asian demand in Japan and the Republic of Korea supports import demand across multiple cephalopod product forms.
  • Foodservice and further-processing demand for standardized presentations (cleaned tubes, tentacles, rings/strips) supports international trade in frozen formats.
Temperature
  • Frozen storage facilities should be capable of maintaining product at or colder than -18°C with minimal temperature fluctuations (Codex guidance).
  • Cold-chain breaks and temperature cycling increase dehydration, oxidation and quality defects in frozen cephalopod products; continuous temperature monitoring is commonly expected.
Shelf Life
  • Quality risk in frozen storage is driven less by microbial growth (when continuously frozen) and more by dehydration and oxidative changes; glazing and/or wrapping is used to protect product.

Risks

IUU Fishing And Traceability HighFrozen cuttlefish supply chains can be disrupted by enforcement actions linked to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing concerns, including port-entry controls and importer due-diligence requirements. Because cephalopod sourcing can involve complex, multi-vessel capture and cross-border processing, gaps in catch documentation and vessel transparency can lead to shipment delays, rejection, or reputational and compliance risks.Require end-to-end traceability (vessel and catch documentation), screen suppliers against IUU risk signals, and prioritize sources aligned with robust port-state and flag-state controls.
Stock And Supply Volatility MediumCephalopod availability (including squid and cuttlefish) can swing rapidly due to short life cycles, environmental variability, and fishery management measures (e.g., delayed seasons or changing landings across producing regions). This drives sudden changes in frozen cuttlefish supply, size profiles, and pricing for importers and processors.Diversify origins and product presentations, maintain flexible specifications on size/presentation, and use rolling procurement with contingency volumes across multiple suppliers.
Cold Chain Integrity MediumQuality defects in frozen cuttlefish often arise from temperature fluctuations and inadequate protection from dehydration/oxidation during storage and transit (e.g., freezer burn, texture loss, surface drying). These issues reduce usable yields and can trigger buyer claims or rejections.Enforce -18°C (or colder) temperature control with data logging, specify glazing/wrapping requirements, and audit cold-store handling and loading practices.
Labor And Human Rights Compliance MediumForced labour and trafficking risks in parts of the fishing sector create legal and reputational exposure for seafood buyers, including cephalopod products, especially where recruitment practices and at-sea working conditions are opaque.Implement supplier social compliance programs (worker welfare due diligence, grievance mechanisms, and recruitment-fee controls) and prioritize verified, transparent fleets and processors.
Sustainability
  • Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing risk and rising traceability expectations in global seafood supply chains (including cephalopods).
  • High interannual variability and management sensitivity (seasonal closures/quotas) in cephalopod fisheries due to short life spans and environmental drivers (e.g., El Niño/La Niña impacts discussed in cephalopod supply reporting).
  • Seabed ecosystem impacts and bycatch concerns where bottom trawling is used in cuttlefish fisheries, prompting potential tightening of access rules in some jurisdictions.
  • Cold-chain energy intensity and packaging/plastics use (including glazing-related packaging) are recurring environmental footprint considerations for frozen seafood trade.
Labor & Social
  • Forced labour and human trafficking risks have been documented in parts of the commercial marine fishing sector, particularly affecting migrant fishers on fishing vessels (sector-wide risk relevant to seafood sourcing due diligence).
  • Worker safety and welfare risks in capture fisheries and seafood processing (hazardous work conditions and injury risks) are material due-diligence considerations.

FAQ

What trade code is commonly used as a proxy for frozen cuttlefish in global import/export statistics?HS 030743 is commonly used; it is defined as "cuttle fish and squid, frozen." Because the code groups cuttlefish with squid, reported trade flows under this code can reflect a combined market rather than cuttlefish-only volumes.
What temperature is typically expected for storing and transporting frozen cuttlefish?Codex guidance for frozen fish and fishery products indicates storage should be capable of maintaining product at or colder than -18°C with minimal temperature fluctuations, and products are often glazed and/or wrapped to protect against dehydration.
Why can frozen cuttlefish availability and pricing change quickly?Cephalopod supply (including squid and cuttlefish) can change quickly because many species are short-lived and landings are highly sensitive to environmental conditions and fishery management measures such as season timing and access controls. FAO GLOBEFISH market reporting highlights that landings can be tight in some regions while other producing areas experience gluts, which quickly shifts global availability and pricing.
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Raw materials: Fresh Cuttlefish
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