Argentina seafood exports top $1 billion through May 2026

Argentina seafood exports continued to grow in the first five months of 2026, surpassing $1 billion in revenue as squid and shrimp shipments drove gains in both volume and value.

According to data analyzed by the Undersecretariat for Aquatic Resources and Fisheries, Argentina exported 291,894.3 tonnes of seafood products between January and May, generating $1.01 billion in revenue. The figures represent year-on-year increases of 18.2% in volume and 22.9% in value.

The growth was led by Argentina’s main fisheries, particularly squid. Exports of mollusks, mostly squid, totaled 163,115.7 tonnes and were valued at $451 million, up 20.2% in volume and 20% in value from the same period in 2025.

Crustacean exports, led by Argentine shrimp, reached 47,149 tonnes and generated $346 million. That marked an 18.8% increase in volume and a 25.1% rise in export revenue, consolidating the segment as one of the top value generators in Argentina’s fishing industry.

Processed seafood products also posted gains. Fish fillets and other fish meat exports totaled 30,663.8 tonnes and $101.1 million, with increases of 9.6% in volume and 13.9% in value.

Exports of frozen fish, excluding fillets, reached 36,466.3 tonnes and $84.4 million, rising 9.3% in volume and 38.6% in export value.

Another strong performance came from fish meal, powder and pellets not intended for human consumption. Shipments in that category climbed 72.2% in volume and 101.1% in value, reaching 11,848.5 tonnes and $15 million. The increase points to growing demand for products tied to fuller use of fishery resources.

Prepared and preserved fish products also maintained positive momentum, with export value rising 13.3% and volume increasing 1.1%, reaching $4 million during the five-month period.

China remained the leading destination for Argentina seafood exports, with purchases totaling $392 million, equivalent to 39% of the country’s seafood export revenue. Spain ranked second, with $145 million and a 14.4% share, followed by the United States, with $56.4 million and 5.6% of the total.

The results underscore the role of seafood in Argentina’s export basket and the continued strength of key fisheries such as squid and shrimp. They also point to the sector’s ability to diversify markets and expand sales of both raw and processed products, as global demand remains firm across major importing economies.

Source: argentina.gob.ar

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