Octopus Market Size and Share Outlook - Forecast Trends and Growth Analysis Report (2025-2034)

The global octopus market attained a volume of 376451.00 Tons in 2024 . The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 1.20% during 2025-2034 to reach a volume of 424144.25 Tons by 2034 .

Global Octopus Market Growth

As of March 2024, around 200 of fish and seafood was produced annually across the globe. The low-fat and nutritious profile of octopus is increasing its consumption. Octopus is rich in iron, vitamin B12, and selenium which helps in maintaining the health of consumers.

The trend of trying out exotic food and cuisines is a major factor contributing to the market growth. Octopus is incorporated in a variety of dishes, including salads, stews, and grilling. In Europe, octopus is widely consumed in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and France. In addition to trading with one another, Spain and Portugal also supply octopuses to other countries in the EU, including Greece and Italy.

Figure: World Fisheries Production by Continent in 2020

Sustainable and ethical fishing practices are gaining popularity globally. Currently, there are two Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified octopus fisheries globally. These include Western Asturias Octopus Fishery in Spain, and the Western Australia Octopus Fishery in Australia.

Key Trends and Developments

Rising awareness of health benefits of octopus; increasing sustainability in sea food sourcing; increasing influence of social media on exotic foods; and presence of significant food certifications ensuring quality and safety of sea foods are impacting the octopus market growth.

May 26, 2023

The Nueva Pescanova Group and Microsoft renewed their partnership, originally established in 2021, to further enhance the digitization of aquafarms using Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Big Data technologies. Over the past two years, this collaboration has led to the development of the world's first intelligent aquaculture farm for Vannamei shrimp (Smart Farm).

Nov 8, 2021

The Nueva Pescanova Group opens the first private aquaculture research centre in Spain, with an investment of 7.5 million euros, which will position the company at the forefront of aquaculture research worldwide in areas such as health improvement, nutrition, animal welfare, sustainability, and new farming species, such as the octopus.

Aug 30, 2021

Siam Canadian Group has expanded its footprint in South America with its latest office in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Nutritional profile of octopus and octopus-based foods

Octopus is a good source of vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, copper, and iron, essential for human health. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), by 2045, around 783 million people are expected to be living with diabetes. Being a low-glycemic index (GI) food, octopus is expected to rise in popularity among diabetic consumers.

Sustainability in octopus sourcing

Consumers growing emphasis on ethical sourcing provides an opportunity for fisheries that follow ethical fishing practices. By obtaining quality and sustainability certifications, such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), companies can expand their market share. Currently, there are two MSC-certified octopus fisheries in the world, one each in Spain and Australia.

Social media’s influence on exotic meat demand

Octopus is regarded as an exotic meat due to its unique flavour and taste. Increasing social media influence has raised the demand for octopus meat outside the countries where it is traditionally consumed, including Japan and South Korea.

Food certifications and eco-Certification

Certifications such as IFS (International Featured Standards) and BRC (British Retail Consortium) show adherence to severe food safety measures. Additionally, certifications such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) indicate that the octopus was harvested using techniques that have little environmental effect.

Octopus Market Trends

Octopus farming is becoming more and more popular in the aquaculture sector. The biological characteristics of the octopus are a major element influencing this interest. Octopuses, comparison to many other seafood, develop quickly and have brief lives - usually one to two years. Quicker turnaround times for producers result from this rapid growing cycle, which might eventually lead to more frequent harvests and a more consistent supply for the market. Octopuses are preferred for aquaculture innovation because of this quality, as well as their delectable flavor and rising consumer demand.

By catering to a variety of tastes and preferences, innovative product forms including frozen, brined, or salted octopus, as well as smoked octopus, can open up new market opportunities. Further, food certifications and quality regulations guarantee customers that the octopus they are purchasing has been handled and processed hygienically, reducing the danger of foodborne disease. Fisheries are also adopting sustainable methods and practices to preserve the long-term viability of octopus population.

Octopus Industry Segmentation

“Global Octopus Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Product Type

• Fresh
• Frozen
• Others (Smocked, Dried, or Salted)

Market Breakup by Distribution Channel

• Direct
• Indirect

Market Breakup by Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Octopus Market Share

Based on product type, frozen products account for a significant share of the market

The growing popularity of ready-to-eat food due to rising sedentary lifestyles is supporting the demand for frozen octopus and octopus-based products. The frozen octopuses are mostly sourced from Morocco, Mauritania, and Indonesia in Europe.

Additionally, octopuses can be frozen for 24 months, allowing for longer storage while preserving the octopus's fresh taste.

To reduce the growing pressure on fresh wild octopuses, the companies are focusing on commercial-farmed octopuses. These farms primarily centre on the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris), with initiatives underway in Europe (particularly Spain), the United States, Mexico, and Japan.

Based on distribution channels, direct sales channels lead the global octopus market

Direct sales of octopus typically involve purchasing the octopus directly from fishermen, seafood markets, or specialized seafood suppliers.

Indirect channels of distribution for octopuses involve intermediaries between the producers and consumers. This includes wholesalers, retailers, food service establishments, online platforms, exporters, and importers. Further, the Marine Stewardship Council and FAO Guidelines for the ecolabelling of fish and fishery products are aiding the demand for environmentally sustainable and clean label products.

Octopus Market Leaders

The market players are focusing on strengthening the supply chain network and offering high quality products to meet the international standards.

Frigorificos De Camarinas S.L.

Frigoríficos De Camariñas S.L. specialises exclusively in octopus. Headquartered in Spain, the company's brands are marketed across Europe through a network of agents and are available in both local and national stores.

Mackay Reef Fish Supplies Pty Ltd.

Mackay Reef Fish Supplies Pty Ltd. is a seasoned seafood processing and marketing firm headquartered in Queensland. The company specialises in the processing of freshly caught fish from a prominent fishing zone in the Northern Territory.

Amigo Sea Food Co.

Amigo Sea Food Co. excels as a reputable supplier of frozen seafood, offering a diverse range including Black Tiger and Vannamei shrimp varieties, fish, squid, cuttlefish, and octopus.

Siam Canadian Foods Co. Ltd.

Siam Canadian Group Limited is a major player in the global food export industry. Siam Canadian currently maintains offices across 6 Asian countries and additionally procures products from North America, South America, Europe, Bangladesh, Korea, and Japan.

Nueva Pescanova, S.L.

The Nueva Pescanova Group is a leading multinational company specialising in the fishing, farming, processing, and commercialisation of seafood products. Headquartered in Spain, Pescanova is the world’s largest producer of shrimp and has a presence across 80 countries of 5 continents.

Octopus Market Analysis by Region

The Asia Pacific leads the market, due to increased consumption of sea food in the region

The Asia Pacific dominates the octopus market with China as a key regional player. China is a significant producer and consumer of octopus globally. In 2020, global octopus landings amounted to 377,818 tonnes, with China accounting for around 27.8%.

During H1 2023, Japan imported 20 837 tonnes of octopus, a rise of 15.6% compared to the same period in 2022. The largest suppliers were Mauritania (6 679 tonnes), China (5 005 tonnes), and Vietnam (3 920 tonnes).

Within Europe, Spain is a major market for the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and the species is an important part of the traditional diet. It is also a significant player in the global trade of octopus products, exporting to most parts of the world.

The most widely found octopus species in Portugal are the common octopus and Octopus Vulgaris. The country mostly catches octopuses using fishing gear like octopus pots and Portuguese traps.