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Squid-dedicated port in Zhoushan
China's Squid Industry Aims for 'Quality Breakthrough' Beyond Global Export Dominance
CHINA
Friday, November 14, 2025, 09:00 (GMT + 9)
With Over 40% of Global Exports, the Nation's Squid Sector Confronts Structural Tensions and Brand Absence, Pivoting Towards Sustainability and High-Value Products
QINGDAO – At the 2025 Qingdao International Squid Industry Forum, Shi Shengqi, President of the Zhoushan Export Aquatic Products Industry Association and Vice President of Zhouyu Company, highlighted a pivotal moment for China's squid industry. Despite consistently ranking first in global exports for numerous years, accounting for over 40% of worldwide trade, the industry is at a critical juncture, shifting from a "quantitative miracle" to a "qualitative breakthrough." This transition will move it from "winning by scale" to "winning by quality."
"Structural Tensions" Behind Global Dominance
Shi Shengqi detailed China's impressive scale: 68 deep-sea squid fishing companies operate 722 squid fishing vessels, achieving an annual output of approximately 460,000 tons. The Zhoushan region alone contributes more than two-thirds of this national total. Bolstered by a sophisticated processing and cold chain system, China exports squid products to over 80 countries and regions, solidifying its reputation as a global "squid factory."
However, this dominance faces significant headwinds. The El Niño phenomenon, a southward shift in resource distribution, and increasingly stringent international fisheries regulations are exerting dual pressures of resource fluctuations and policy barriers on China's deep-sea squid fishing industry. Shi Shengqi warned, "The global market appears to be expanding, but resource uncertainty and trade barriers are tightening. We must face the challenges brought about by structural tensions."
From "Processing Giant" to "Brand Absence"
Despite its high export share, China's squid industry largely remains at the low end of the global value chain. Shi Shengqi frankly stated that current exports primarily consist of low-added-value products such as primary frozen squid fillets, squid rings, and squid tentacles. Approximately 60% of enterprises still mainly engage in OEM manufacturing, lacking independent brands and a standardized system.
Furthermore, the domestic consumer market has long been characterized by a low-price mentality, hindering product innovation. Misconceptions about squid's nutritional value mean that per capita consumption in China is only one-third that of Japan. Shi Shengqi stressed that to genuinely enhance competitiveness, the industry must fundamentally change its development pattern of "export dependence, brand absence, and product homogeneity."
The Zhoushan Model: Industrial Chain Integration and Technological Upgrading
As the core production area of China's squid industry, Zhoushan is actively promoting structural adjustment focused on "full-chain, digitalization, and branding." Shi Shengqi explained that Zhoushan enterprises are expanding from raw material trading into deep processing, developing high-value-added categories such as ready-to-eat products, seasonings, and freeze-dried products. They are also achieving production traceability through standardized workshops and digital management platforms.
"In the past, we sold raw materials; now we sell products and stories," Shi Shengqi remarked. Zhoushan is applying for the geographical indication "Zhoushan Squid" and exploring collaborations with domestic new retail channels to create a closed loop between deep-sea fishing and national consumer demand.
Breaking the Mold for the Future: Winning Through Sustainability
Shi Shengqi believes that the future core competitiveness of China's squid industry will no longer be about "who catches more," but "who catches sustainably and sells for higher prices." He proposed three transformative directions:
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Strengthen international collaboration: Actively participate in regional fisheries governance systems such as SPRFMO to establish a stable and legal fishing order.
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Promote green processing and carbon footprint management: Develop a sustainable certification system that meets European and American standards.
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Empower branding with technology: Utilize digital supply chains for price transparency and market forecasting, building a risk-resistant shield for export enterprises.
From "Deep-Sea Fishermen" to "Global Value Participants"
"Accounting for 40% of global exports is just a starting point, not the end," Shi Shengqi emphasized at the close of his speech. He stressed that China's squid industry must evolve from "deep-sea fishermen" to "global value participants" by upgrading its industry and building its brands to meet the new competitive landscape.
In the next decade, the key word for China's squid processing and export industry will no longer be "a miracle of quantity," but rather "a breakthrough in quality."
Source: Frozen Food Guide 冻品攻略
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