Argentina's 2026 Squid Season Opens with Strong Start
- Easy Seafood
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
Executive Summary
Argentina's 2026 squid fishing season has commenced with highly promising early indicators, marked by the discovery of large, high-quality squid aggregations within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This development signals robust resource density, superior quality, and enhanced fishing efficiency, injecting optimism into the global squid market.
Operational Overview & Key Metrics
The 2026 Argentine Illex squid season officially opened on January 2nd. Initial operations were challenged by a severe storm, but conditions improved significantly thereafter, facilitating concentrated fishing efforts.
Fleet Deployment: As of the latest reports, 72 Argentine-flagged vessels are actively operating in the fishing grounds between 49°S and 44°S, with an additional 8 vessels en route.
Primary Fishing Zone: The core operational area remains north of the San Jorge Gulf, approximately 110 nautical miles east of Camarones, consistent with recent seasonal patterns.
Resource Discovery & Quality Shift: Early-season scouting east of San Julián (about 60 nm offshore) initially found scattered, smaller-sized (SS grade) squid with mantle thickness of 2–2.7 mm. A significant turning point occurred around January 9th-10th with the confirmation of a large, dense aggregation. Critically, the biological size of this aggregation has upgraded to predominantly S grade, with mantle thickness ranging from 3.5 to 4.1 mm, indicating higher processing yield and commercial value.
Productivity Surge: Catch rates have seen a sharp improvement. Some vessels have reported daily catches reaching up to 12 tons. Notably, the vessel BP Lu Qing Yuan Yu 286 reported a catch of 57 tons, with the BP Hai Xiang 16 from the same company performing even more strongly. This efficiency is attributed to increased onboard labor and enhanced processing/freezing capacity.
Market Context & Strategic Implications
The promising start to Argentina's season arrives amidst a complex global squid market. Strong global demand, particularly from China, has been a key price driver. Concurrently, supply constraints from other major fisheries, such as the early closure of the Patagonian squid season in the Falklands and limited catches of Peruvian Humboldt squid, have further tightened the market.
Global Demand & Price Trends
China remains the largest export market for Argentine squid, accounting for 31% of total exports from January to September 2024. Prices for key products like frozen squid tubes and rings (FOB China) have risen approximately 30%, reflecting the supply-demand imbalance.
The early, high-volume catch from Argentina could help alleviate some market tightness. However, industry stakeholders at recent conferences in Mar del Plata have also highlighted ongoing concerns regarding operational costs, taxes, and export duties within Argentina.
Monitoring Focus: The current concentration of the Argentine fleet is within the coordinates 44°40'S to 45°53'S and 62°30'W to 63°30'W. The sustainability and spatial-temporal continuity of this high-quality aggregation will be crucial in determining whether this positive start translates into a strong and optimistic full season.
🔍Key Takeaways for Stakeholders
Supply Outlook
The early discovery of large, S-grade squid suggests potential for improved raw material availability and quality for processors and buyers in Q1 2026.
Market Dynamics
Increased Argentine supply may exert downward pressure on global prices, but this could be moderated by continued strong demand and constraints from other regions.
Logistics & Planning
Importers and distributors should monitor port activity in Argentina (e.g., Mar del Plata) and plan for potential earlier arrivals of new-season product.
Conclusion
The 2026 Argentine squid season has commenced under favorable conditions, with the timely discovery of a substantial, high-specification biomass within the EEZ. This represents a significant positive milestone. While the initial catch data and quality indicators are encouraging, the season's ultimate success will depend on the persistence of these fishing conditions. Market participants are advised to closely follow catch reports, vessel positioning, and official landings data in the coming weeks to accurately assess the season's trajectory and its implications for global supply chains.
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