Frozen Illex Squid: The Versatile Cephalopod Powering Global Seafood Markets

   Illex squid, scientifically known as Illex argentinus (Argentine shortfin squid), is a fast-growing, short-lived cephalopod belonging to the family Ommastrephidae. It is one of the most commercially important squid species in the world, accounting for approximately 16.4% of global squid catch in 2020.

   The species has a one-year lifecycle, maturing and spawning once before dying. Its populations boom and bust rapidly based on environmental conditions. Despite heavy fishing pressure from international fleets, the stock has generally been resilient - classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN - thanks to its high productivity.

   Illex squid is distributed throughout the Southwest Atlantic (FAO Area 41), particularly in the waters off Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and the Falkland Islands. It inhabits depths ranging from the shelf edge to approximately 1,000 metres. A related species - the northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus) - also occurs in the Northwest Atlantic.

   Illex is the most commercially valuable cephalopod in the Southwest Atlantic and leads mollusc exports from Argentina. The genus Illex comprises four taxa distributed throughout the Atlantic Ocean and accounts for 65% of the world's cephalopod captures.

    The heart of the Illex fishery is in the Southwest Atlantic, with a peak season during the austral summer and fall - typically from January through May, sometimes extending into August. A large international fleet of upwards of 300 vessels from China, Korea, Taiwan, and other nations operates just outside Argentina's Exclusive Economic Zone, mainly using jigging methods (squid attracted to powerful lights at night).

2025 - A Record-Breaking Season

    The 2025 fishing season for Argentine shortfin squid was exceptional. According to INIDEP (Argentina's National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development), total Illex catch in 2025 reached approximately 204,000 tonnes - the highest volume in 17 years, surpassing 2024's catches (154,000 tonnes) by 33%.

    The jigging fleet alone caught 162,154 tonnes with an average yield of 21 tonnes per day. Reports from the season indicated solid and consistent performance, with landings already exceeding 150,000 tonnes by early May. The weekly yield rose between 17 and 27 tonnes per day, showing an upward trend. Exports of Illex squid totalled 193,385 tonnes in 2025, a 32.5% increase from 2024, generating US$550 million - up 47.7% year-on-year.

2026 Season Outlook

    The 2026 season opened on 9 January 2026 with abundant catches. From the start of the season until 22 January 2026, nearly 25,000 tonnes of squid were landed by 74 vessels - a volume indicating comparatively higher catch rates at the start of the current season.

The fishery is governed by a staggered opening scheme based on geographic location:

2 January 2026: Opening between parallels 49°S and 52°S

7 January 2026: Opening south of parallel 44°S (incentive phase)

9 January 2026: General opening south of parallel 44°S for the rest of the fleet

    This phased approach is designed to optimise the harvest of different stocks, particularly the South Patagonian Stock and the Summer Spawning Stock.

Nutritional Value

• High-Quality Protein

  Squid is a high-protein, low-fat seafood. Argentine shortfin squid provides approximately 15.5–20.5 grams of protein per 100 grams. Its protein is complete, containing all essential amino acids, making it an excellent choice for muscle repair, growth, and overall health.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids

  Illex squid is particularly rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The omega-3 content in Illex argentinus fat reaches 52.2% of total fatty acids. The fish is especially abundant in DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), which together account for a significant proportion of its fatty acid profile. These essential fatty acids support cardiovascular health, brain function, and reduce inflammation.

• Low Fat and Calorie Content

  Illex squid is naturally low in fat, with fat content of approximately 2.0% and relatively low calories. This makes it an ideal choice for health-conscious consumers and those managing weight.

• Rich in Minerals

  Illex squid contains essential minerals including calcium, phosphorus, and selenium, which support bone health, immune function, and overall wellbeing.

The vast majority of Illex squid is frozen at sea shortly after capture - with over 92% of the Falkland Islands fishery frozen whole onboard fishing vessels. Freezing quickly is critical to lock in freshness, as squid can develop ammonia quickly if held too long at ambient temperature.

Primary Processing (At Sea)

Squid are typically frozen in blocks (e.g. 20kg blocks) or individually (IQF) depending on vessel setup. At this stage, they are unprocessed - heads, viscera, skin, and internal cartilage ("pen") remain intact.

Secondary Processing (Mainly in China)

The primary destination for raw frozen Illex is China, which has become the global hub for Illex processing. In Chinese coastal provinces - particularly Zhoushan, Shandong (Rongcheng, Shidao), and Fujian - numerous seafood factories specialise in cephalopod processing.

A typical processing flow includes:

Thawing whole frozen squid

Removing heads, skin, internal organs, and cartilage ("pen")

Producing cleaned squid tubes (mantle) and tentacles as separate products

Tenderising (mechanical scoring or mild tenderiser solution)

Grading by size

Common Product Forms

Freezing Technologies

IQF (Individually Quick Frozen): Locks in freshness, allows easy portioning, and reduces waste

Block Frozen: Commonly used for bulk export shipments, offering efficient storage and transport

Quality Certifications

Leading processing facilities maintain rigorous quality standards, including HACCP, FDA registration, BRC, and EU-approved certifications - particularly important for exports to Europe and North America.

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