Dried squid and cuttlefish imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $4.1 million of dried squid and cuttlefish in 2024 (1.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 38% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 19% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $18.4 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4.1M | 1.8K t |
| 2023 | $6.6M | 2.5K t |
| 2022 | $10.6M | 3.9K t |
| 2021 | $11.5M | 4.2K t |
| 2020 | $10.9M | 4.3K t |
| 2019 | $17.9M | 6.8K t |
| 2018 | $18.2M | 6.9K t |
| 2017 | $18.4M | 6.8K t |
Where South Africa imports dried squid and cuttlefish from
China alone supplied 72% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.0M | 72% |
| Argentina | $284K | 6.9% |
| Namibia | $273K | 6.6% |
| United States | $188K | 4.6% |
| Spain | $182K | 4.4% |
| Peru | $156K | 3.8% |
| Netherlands | $63K | 1.5% |
| India | $16K | 0.4% |
| Mozambique | $4K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.26 per kg, 62% below the world average of $5.99, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Dried squid and cuttlefish exports from South Africa
Exports of dried squid and cuttlefish by South Africa reached $873 thousand in 2024 (176 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Mauritius (24%), Botswana (15%), Zambia (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Botswana grew fastest (+101% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mauritius | $206K | 24% |
| Botswana | $127K | 15% |
| Zambia | $116K | 13% |
| Namibia | $108K | 12% |
| Mozambique | $79K | 9% |
| DR Congo | $74K | 8.5% |
| Zimbabwe | $53K | 6% |
| Seychelles | $47K | 5.4% |
| Eswatini | $23K | 2.6% |
| Nigeria | $23K | 2.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa dried squid and cuttlefish imports (HS 0307.49): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0307.49: Molluscs: cuttle fish and squid, whether in shell or not, includes flours, meals, and pellets of molluscs, fit for human consumption, dried, salted, in brine, or smoked, cooked or not before or during the smoking process.
Common questions
What is the value of dried squid and cuttlefish imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported dried squid and cuttlefish worth $4.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 13th of 164 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 38% on 2023.
Which countries supply dried squid and cuttlefish to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 72% of the value ($3.0 million), followed by Argentina (7%) and Namibia (7%). The top three together account for 85%, out of 9 supplier countries in total.
What is the average import price of dried squid and cuttlefish per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.26 per kg in 2024, 62% below the world average of $5.99 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of dried squid and cuttlefish to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $18.4 million in 2017 to $4.1 million in 2024, a fall of 78%. The peak was 2017 at $18.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $12.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export dried squid and cuttlefish?
Yes. South Africa exported $873 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mauritius, Botswana and Zambia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $3.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for dried squid and cuttlefish?
The HS code for dried squid and cuttlefish is subheading 0307.49. It sits in HS chapter 03 (fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 0307 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World dried squid and cuttlefish trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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