Argentina’s fish exports hit second-highest level in 2025 – CAPeCA

ARGENTINA – Argentina’s fishing industry generated US$2.066 billion in export earnings in 2025, a 3.9% rise from the previous year, making it the country’s eighth-largest export sector, according to the Argentine Chamber of Fishing Vessel Owners and Freezers (CAPeCA).

The total volume of fish products shipped abroad ranged between 523,706 and 538,518 tons, based on figures from CAPeCA and the Ministry of Economy through the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

Fishing accounted for 3.9% of Argentina’s US$52.611 billion in primary product and agricultural manufacture exports in 2025, while overall primary product exports increased 21.2% and agricultural manufactures grew 2.7% year-over-year.

Illex squid led growth in 2025 with exports totaling 193,385 tons, a 32.5% increase from 2024, generating US$550 million, up 47.7% compared to the previous year, with an estimated US$178 million added in value.

Shrimp exports fell sharply after labor disputes during the first half of 2025 reduced landings by about 40,000 tons compared to 2024, limiting overall supply.

Pleoticus muelleri shrimp shipments totaled 119,774 tons, a 22.3% decline in volume, with earnings of US$867.2 million, down 12.3% from the previous year, while whole shrimp exports dropped 37.7% in volume and 24.0% in value, a fall exceeding US$125 million.

Shrimp tails recorded minor gains, with export volumes up 1.2% and value increasing by 0.8%, partially offsetting losses from whole shrimp.

Argentine hake exports remained mostly stable, with 123,409 tons shipped in 2025, a 1.1% increase from 2024, generating US$313 million, while hake fillet value fell 2.9% despite a 4.5% rise in average prices in December 2025 compared to the previous year.

Other species showed mixed trends, with black hake export value rising 21.1% and king crab exports declining 25.3% year-over-year.

China overtook Spain as the largest buyer of Argentine fish, importing 144,319 tons valued at US$468 million, driven mainly by higher squid shipments, while Spain received 70,960 tons worth US$371 million.

Italy ranked third with 17,598 tons valued at US$120 million, and the United States moved to fourth place with 16,780 tons worth US$115 million, while the three leading markets together represented 49.2% of total export value.

Shrimp production declined, particularly affecting exports to Spain and the United States, whereas China absorbed a larger share of squid supplies, thereby altering the market balance.

At the end of 2025, average prices for whole shrimp rose 28.8% to US$6,642 per ton, shrimp tails increased 8.1% to US$7,928 per ton, and Illex squid prices slightly dropped 0.5% compared to December 2024.

Despite the drop in shrimp shipments, Argentina’s fishing sector maintained over US$2 billion in export revenue, supported by strong squid sales and sustained demand from Asian markets.

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