The 2026 Argentine squid fishing season officially ended on April 22, with total catches reaching 186,992.3 tons as of May 7, including final unloading volumes. Although slightly below the 2025 historical peak of 203,956 tons, this year’s production remained among the strongest levels recorded in recent years, confirming that the Southwest Atlantic squid fishery continues to operate within a high-yield cycle.
The season showed a clear phased production pattern. Peak catches were concentrated in January and February, when squid resources were exceptionally abundant and fleet profitability significantly exceeded recent-year averages. Production remained strong through March, but marine resources began weakening in April, especially after fishing grounds north of 44° south latitude were opened. This accelerated the decline in catch rates and once again demonstrated the structural nature of the Argentine squid fishery: a short period of concentrated high production followed by a rapid seasonal decline once stock density decreases.
Patagonia remained the operational center of the fishery throughout the season. Port unloading data highlights the region’s dominant role in fleet operations and logistics:
* Port Madryn: 81,485.5 tons
* Mar del Plata: 50,929.4 tons
* Puerto Deseado: 47,614.6 tons
The distribution of landings reflects the high concentration of fishing activity in Patagonian waters and the strategic importance of southern ports in Argentina’s squid industry.
At the beginning of the season, many market participants expected catches to equal or even surpass the 2025 record. However, the 44°S latitude line ultimately became a critical dividing point between northern and southern squid populations. Resource abundance differed significantly between the two regions, creating a visible north-south stock imbalance.
This regional differentiation is becoming an increasingly important issue for the industry. Analysts believe deeper fisheries biology research will be necessary to better understand the uneven distribution of squid resources and support future decisions on fishing controls, resource management, and fleet deployment strategies.
Meanwhile, market attention is also shifting toward Peru, where marine climate conditions are evolving rapidly. According to monitoring agencies, ocean temperatures near Peru are currently around 3°C above historical averages. Coastal El Niño conditions remain weak for now, but the latest ENFEN bulletin suggests the phenomenon could strengthen into a moderate El Niño event by June or July.
The warmer water environment is currently supporting favorable growth conditions for squid in Peruvian waters. Recent catches have been dominated by large squid weighing over 6 kilograms, while smaller-sized squid are almost absent from landings. This unusually concentrated size structure is becoming one of the defining characteristics of the current Peruvian squid season.
Looking ahead, abnormal ocean temperatures and the possible intensification of El Niño are expected to continue influencing fishing schedules, fleet operations, and raw material supply structures in Peru. For the global squid market, environmental conditions in both the Southwest Atlantic and the Pacific are increasingly becoming key drivers of supply trends and price expectations during the second half of 2026.
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