Frozen squid and cuttlefish imports in the United Arab Emirates: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of frozen squid and cuttlefish by the United Arab Emirates reached $17.1 million in 2024 (5.6 thousand tonnes). Value fell 25% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $22.7 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 | $17.1M | 5.6K t |
| 2023 | $22.7M | 4.1K t |
| 2022 | $14.2M | 3.7K t |
| 2021 | $13.2M | 3.0K t |
| 2020 | $9.0M | 1.8K t |
| 2019 | $11.1M | 2.3K t |
| 2018 | $9.6M | 2.1K t |
| 2017 | $14.6M | 3.7K t |
Where the United Arab Emirates imports frozen squid and cuttlefish from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 60% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Pakistan grew fastest (+266% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $10.2M | 60% |
| India | $2.7M | 16% |
| Pakistan | $1.3M | 7.9% |
| Thailand | $1.0M | 6.1% |
| Spain | $1.0M | 6% |
| Greece | $175K | 1% |
| Indonesia | $153K | 0.9% |
| Italy | $138K | 0.8% |
| United States | $120K | 0.7% |
| Netherlands | $71K | 0.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.08 per kg, 23% below the world average of $4.02, 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.
Frozen squid and cuttlefish exports from the United Arab Emirates
Exports of frozen squid and cuttlefish by the United Arab Emirates reached $3.0 million in 2024 (553 tonnes). Most of it went to Malaysia (21%), Qatar (15%), Japan (15%). Among the main buyer markets, Malaysia grew fastest (+486% on the year before).
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates frozen squid and cuttlefish imports (HS 0307.43): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 0307.43: Molluscs: cuttle fish and squid, whether in shell or not, includes flours, meals, and pellets of molluscs, fit for human consumption, frozen.
Common questions
What is the value of frozen squid and cuttlefish imported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates imported frozen squid and cuttlefish worth $17.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 206 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 25% on 2023.
Which countries supply frozen squid and cuttlefish to the United Arab Emirates?
China was the largest supplier with 60% of the value ($10.2 million), followed by India (16%) and Pakistan (8%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 17 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 272% on the year.
What is the average import price of frozen squid and cuttlefish per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.08 per kg in 2024, 23% below the world average of $4.02 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of frozen squid and cuttlefish to the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Imports went from $14.6 million in 2017 to $17.1 million in 2024, an increase of 17%. The peak was 2023 at $22.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $14.0 million a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also export frozen squid and cuttlefish?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates exported $3.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Malaysia, Qatar and Japan. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net importer of this product, by about $14.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for frozen squid and cuttlefish?
The HS code for frozen squid and cuttlefish is subheading 0307.43. 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 the United Arab Emirates. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World frozen squid and cuttlefish trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United Arab Emirates
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