Giant squid exports surged 43.6% in the first quarter! China and South Korea bought more than half of them.

Giant squid exports performed brilliantly in the first quarter of 2025, with export value reaching 135 million US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 43.6%, including products of giant squid tubes, giant squid rings, giant squid fillets etc. Among them, the combined demand from South Korea and China accounted for over 56.8%, becoming the main driver of giant squid products growth. In addition, frozen giant squid products accounted for 98.5% of the total export volume, and Piura, the core producing area, contributed 86.7% of the export volume of giant squid. This export growth was attributed to the recovery of the processing industry of giant squid and the reconstruction of the logistics chain.

Export Data: 135 million US dollars in foreign exchange earnings of giant squid, with China and South Korea accounting for over half

According to a report from the Peruvian Exporters Association (Adex), giant squid export value in the first quarter of 2025 was 135 million US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 43.6%. Among them, the combined demand of giant squid raw material from South Korea and China accounted for 56.8%, which was the main reason for the growth. South Korea ranked first with 43.829 million US dollars (accounting for 32.4%), a year-on-year surge of 209.8%; giant squid export value to Chinese mainland was 32.99 million US dollars, ranking second.

Giant squid export:

South Korea (32.4%), Chinese mainland (24.4%), Spain (22.1%), Italy (7.5%), and Japan (4.2%) were the main export markets, with the top five accounting for 88.6% in total; other markets included Thailand, the United States, Mexico, etc. Frozen squid products accounted for 98.5% of the total export volume (133.38 million US dollars).

Giant squid production Area and Industry Dynamics: Piura Dominates, Driven by Processing Recovery

The Piura region contributed 86.7% of the giant squid export volume (US$117.386 million), making it the core production area of giant squid. The recovery of the processing industry and the reconstruction of logistics chains have driven export growth. Adex will host a fisheries conference on May 29, focusing on aquaculture and export strategies.