Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
- ESPulpo
- FRPoulpe
- ARالأخطبوط
- Trade namePoulpe / Tako
Mauritania's most valuable catch and the country's best-known seafood. Most of it comes from artisanal pot fishing, one octopus per pot, and is landed alive and frozen within hours. Seasonal biological closures protect the stock. Japan, Spain and Italy are the main markets.
Graded and packed to your order.
- Grades
- T1 > 4 kgT2 3–4T3 2–3T4 1.5–2T5 1.2–1.5T6 0.8–1.2T7 0.5–0.8T8 0.3–0.5 kgPR mixes
- Presentation
- Whole cleaned · flower · tenderised
- Frozen / packing
- IQF · block · individually bagged · pot-caught, land-frozen or sea-frozen
- Available as
- Frozen · Fresh
- Origin
- Mauritania · FAO area 34 (Eastern Central Atlantic)
- Trade name
- Poulpe / Tako
Typical grades · packed to your specification. Volumes and seasons vary; ask us for current availability.
Buying octopus from Mauritania.
- Net weight & glaze
- Grades are always the net weight per piece, without glaze. You set the maximum glaze in your contract. Before loading we deglaze samples and weigh the net product.
- Container
- Frozen octopus ships in 40′ reefer containers at −18 °C or colder, about 22–25 tonnes net per container. Carton weight and labels as agreed.
- Seasons
- Fishing closes twice a year, about May to mid-July and mid-October to mid-December. The autumn 2026 closure starts on 10 October. Book before the reopening to be in the first production.
- How you buy
- Frozen octopus is exported through the SMCP and paid by irrevocable, confirmed letter of credit at sight. The SMCP publishes FOB reference prices per grade – we tell you the current price for yours.
- Documents
- Sales contract (SMCP), health certificate (ONISPA), certificate of origin, EU catch certificate, packing list and bill of lading.
What does T5 mean for octopus?
T5 is 1.2–1.5 kg per piece, net weight without glaze. Limits differ slightly between sellers, so always write the grade in grams in your contract.
Is Mauritanian octopus pot-caught?
Most of it comes from artisanal pot fishing, one octopus per pot, and is frozen within hours of landing. Sea-frozen octopus is also available.
Can I buy octopus during a closure?
Yes, from cold-store stock, but the choice is smaller and prices for good grades often rise towards the end of a closure.
What is the usual order size?
Usually one 40′ reefer container, about 22–25 tonnes net.
What arrives at your port.
Fadi Hamayda Managing Director
Tell us the grade, presentation, volume and destination port for octopus. We check what the plants can supply this season and come back to you with an offer.
