Squid & Cuttlefish (frozen) Exporter from India
Frozen squid and cuttlefish from India's west and south coast — whole, cleaned and tube forms, IQF or block-frozen.
Quick answer: Green Plus EXIM exports frozen squid and cuttlefish from India's Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu coastal processing hubs. The USA is the largest single market, but the trade shows a distinctly European/Mediterranean skew — Spain, Italy, France, Belgium and Greece together take a substantial share, reflecting strong regional demand for cephalopods. Available whole, cleaned, or as tubes and rings, IQF or block-frozen.
Frozen squid and cuttlefish from India
India's west and south coasts — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu — support a substantial squid and cuttlefish fishery and processing industry, supplying both whole and value-added (cleaned, tube, ring) frozen product to international markets. We work with processors across this coastal belt, the same one that supplies our frozen shrimp export line.
A distinctly Mediterranean-skewed market — with a data caveat
The USA is India's single largest squid/cuttlefish market, but what stands out in the trade data is the strength of Southern European demand: Spain, Italy, France, Belgium and Greece collectively take a substantial share, reflecting how central cephalopods are to Mediterranean cuisine. Worth flagging honestly: the reported export total for this specific HS code line looks lower than India's known cephalopod trade would suggest, likely because some volume is captured under adjacent, closely related HS subheadings that have shifted across classification revisions. We treat the country ranking as a reliable signal of where demand concentrates, but we don't present the headline dollar total as India's complete squid/cuttlefish export figure — and you shouldn't take it that way from any source either.
Seasonality and the fishing-ban window
India enforces an annual fishing-ban period on the west coast, typically mid-April to early June, to protect breeding stock during spawning season. This is a conservation measure rather than an export restriction, but it does shape when fresh catch is available for processing — peak processing and shipping availability runs from August through March, with the ban period representing a natural seasonal gap that's worth planning around for continuity of supply.
How should I specify squid or cuttlefish?
- Form. Whole round, cleaned, tubes, rings or tentacles — each suits different end uses.
- Freezing method. IQF for retail-ready product, block-frozen for foodservice/bulk buyers.
- Size grading. Expressed as count per kilogram — this varies by market convention, so confirm your target grade explicitly.
Pricing
Send your species/form preference, size grading, quantity and destination port and we'll quote current FOB/CIF terms.
Key facts
- Species: Indian squid (Loligo duvauceli), cuttlefish (Sepia spp.)
- HS code: 0307.43 (frozen cuttlefish and squid)
- Forms: whole, cleaned, tubes, rings, tentacles — IQF or block-frozen
- Sourced from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu coastal hubs
- Peak processing/export window: August–March (west-coast fishing ban runs mid-April to early June)
- Leading markets from India: USA, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium — a notably Mediterranean-skewed trade
- Reported 2024 export figure (USD 11.67M) likely undercounts true volume — treat directionally, not as a complete total
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Squid & Cuttlefish (frozen) specifications
| Parameter | Typical specification |
|---|---|
| Species | Indian squid (Loligo duvauceli), cuttlefish (Sepia spp.) |
| Forms | Whole round, cleaned whole, tubes, rings, tentacles |
| Freezing method | IQF (individually quick frozen) or block-frozen, buyer-specified |
| Size grading | By count/kg (e.g. 10-20, 20-40 pieces/kg) — market-specific, confirm your grade |
| Core temperature | -18°C or below maintained through cold chain |
| Glazing | Standard glaze percentage per market norm; confirm your requirement |
Typical specs — final specifications as per contract. Tell us your required grade when you request a quote and we'll confirm availability.
Packaging & container loading
| Detail | Options |
|---|---|
| Packaging | Master cartons of 10 kg block-frozen; IQF in poly bags within 1 kg or 2 kg retail-style cartons, or bulk master cartons for foodservice |
| Minimum order quantity | 1 × 20ft container; trial orders discussed |
| Loading capacity (20ft) | Approx. 18–20 MT in a 20ft reefer container |
| Loading capacity (40ft) | Approx. 22–24 MT in a 40ft reefer container |
| Shelf life & storage | 18–24 months from production date at -18°C or below, maintained through an unbroken cold chain |
Loading figures are typical estimates — use the squid & cuttlefish (frozen) container load estimator for a planning figure, and confirm exact figures with us before booking.
Download Squid & Cuttlefish (frozen) specification sheet (PDF)
Availability calendar
Typical availability for squid & cuttlefish (frozen) from India, by month:
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Availability shifts year to year with weather and growing conditions — ask for current availability before planning a shipment window.
Where India exports squid & cuttlefish (frozen)
India's top destination markets for squid & cuttlefish (frozen) (HS 0307.43 (cuttlefish and squid, frozen); WITS legacy 0307.49), 2024 (calendar year). India exported $11,670,650 of squid & cuttlefish (frozen) worldwide that year:
| Destination country | Export value (USD) | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $5,505,190 | 843,659 Kg |
| Spain | $2,607,580 | 911,298 Kg |
| Italy | $1,365,800 | 401,125 Kg |
| France | $736,380 | 189,005 Kg |
| Belgium | $362,790 | 100,844 Kg |
| Japan | $259,850 | 26,703 Kg |
| Canada | $212,450 | 25,026 Kg |
| Vietnam | $116,620 | 20,000 Kg |
| Mauritius | $107,870 | 30,350 Kg |
| Greece | $97,340 | 21,208 Kg |
Source: WITS (World Bank) / UN Comtrade — India exports by partner, calendar year 2024 — view source. Data year: 2024 (calendar year). Retrieved: 2026-09-17.
Notes on this data
MEDIUM CONFIDENCE ON COMPLETENESS — figures are primary-tier (WITS/UN Comtrade) but the USD 11.67M total under legacy code 0307.49 looks LOW relative to India's known cephalopod trade, which suggests much of the volume is reported under other 0307 subheadings (0307.42/0307.43/0307.99 splits differ across HS revisions and reporting years). Treat the country RANKING (USA ~47%, then Spain, Italy, France) as directionally sound, but do NOT present the total as India's complete squid/cuttlefish export value. Note the strongly European/Mediterranean skew — Spain, Italy, France, Belgium and Greece all appear, which supports Spanish/Italian-language content for this line specifically.
Indian sourcing regions
Gujarat and Maharashtra's west coast, along with Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the south, are India's principal squid and cuttlefish fishing and processing hubs — the same coastal belt that supplies India's broader seafood export trade, including our frozen shrimp line. India observes an annual fishing-ban window (typically mid-April to early June on the west coast) to protect breeding stock, which shapes seasonal catch availability.
Export documentation
Export documentation prepared to match destination-country and buyer requirements — phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, fumigation certificate, lab test reports and more, as applicable.
- Health certificate / catch certificate (destination-dependent)
- Certificate of origin
- Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading
- Cold-chain / temperature log for the shipment
Share your compliance checklist and we will confirm the documentation for your shipment. Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or your nominated agency) can be arranged on request.
Get a quote for Squid & Cuttlefish (frozen)
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Squid & Cuttlefish (frozen) export FAQs
Whole round, cleaned whole, tubes, rings and tentacles — IQF (individually quick frozen) or block-frozen, depending on your end use. Foodservice buyers often prefer block-frozen bulk; retail-oriented buyers usually want IQF in smaller consumer packaging.
The reported HS code figures for this product line appear low relative to India's known cephalopod trade — some volume is likely reported under adjacent 0307 subheadings that split differently across reporting years and HS revisions. Treat the country ranking (USA first, then Spain, Italy, France) as a reliable guide to where demand concentrates, but don't take the headline total as India's complete squid/cuttlefish export figure.
Spain, Italy, France, Belgium and Greece collectively represent a large share of India's squid/cuttlefish exports — cephalopods are a much bigger part of everyday cuisine in Mediterranean Europe than in many other markets, which drives consistent demand from that region alongside the USA.
India applies an annual fishing-ban period (roughly mid-April to early June on the west coast) to protect breeding stock during spawning season — this is a conservation measure, not an export policy restriction, but it does shape when fresh catch is available for processing. Peak processing and export availability runs from August through March.
Approximately 18–20 MT in a 20ft reefer and 22–24 MT in a 40ft, depending on packaging format and product form.
Both — cleaned tubes and rings are commonly requested by foodservice and retail buyers who want a ready-to-cook product, while whole (round) squid and cuttlefish suit buyers doing their own processing.
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