Thailand and Spain are the world’s principal squid exporters, each accounting for 5,000 metric tons (MT) during the first quarter of 2012.
In September, Spain’s National Association of Canned Fish and Shellfish Manufacturers (ANFACO-CECOPESCA) registered cuttlefish and squid exports totalling 5,634 MT valued at EUR 17 million (USD 22 million) between January and July 2012.
Along with Italy, Spain is importing less in 2012 than in 2011, but its rich coastal and oceanic squid numbers make this cephalopod the country’s fourth most widely traded seafood, available year round with November and December seeing the highest sales. Spain’s catch is mainly sourced from the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic and North Sea to the Gulf of Guinea.
Spain imports 50 percent of the fresh squid sold in its wholesale markets (Mercasa), 30 percent of that from France. Frozen squid accounts for 75 percent of national sales, of which 25 percent is from Argentina, 25 percent from Africa, 15 percent from Asia and 10 percent from the European Union.
Of Mercasa’s total annual sales, 55 percent are for fresh and semi-conserved squid (thawed and refrigerated, of which 80 percent are fresh, 20 percent semi-conserved).
Frozen Patagonian squid (Loligo patagonica) comes principally from Patagonia, southern Argentina, Chile and the Falkland/Malvinas Islands. Frozen squid from India accounts for 10 percent of Spanish sales, 10 percent of common and European squid (Loligo vulgaris) and northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus, i.e. pota norteña in Spanish) are from national and other sources, with 5 percent from Boston and California.
Covering the period from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2015, the European Union has set Spain’s contingent import volume at 45,000 MT per year for squid frozen headless with skin, fins and no tentacles destined for processing. Squid frozen whole with tentacles and fins destined for processing will be 2,000 MT per year.
Wholesale prices per kilogram for frozen squid at Spain’s principal markets on 5 October stood at EUR 3.31 (USD 4.28) in Mercamadrid, EUR 3.80 (USD 4.92) in Mercabarna (Barcelona), EUR 4.70 (USD 6.08) in Mercabilbao, EUR 4.16 (USD 5.38) in Mercasevilla and EUR 3.70 (USD 4.79) in Mercavalencia.
With its range of whole, chopped, tubed and ringed squid, Javier Mallo, director at Pesciro in Vigo, northwest Spain, says sales are holding up. “The market for frozen squid is very good, we import mainly from China and our sales are up compared to last year.”
Reflecting confidence in the frozen sector, Marfrío showcased new packaging for its Patagonian squid in October, having received a Superior Taste Award for its breaded squid strips and Patagonian squid from the International Taste & Quality Institute (ITQI). A blind tasting among 60 restaurateurs representing Europe’s most prestigious culinary associations evaluated appearance, smell, texture and flavor — the first time ITQI rewarded a Spanish frozen fish company with a quality stamp that will adorn the products for the next three years. Earlier in the year, Marfrío won a taste award for its battered squid rings during a blind tasting involving 180 consumers.
