Perth-based Abrolhos Octopus (Abrolhos) is taking premium Australian seafood to global markets. The company's djinda octopus - called the 'wagyu of octopus' - is proving a hit with seafood importers in Europe.
'There's a rising trend for sustainably harvested seafood,' says Dion van der Merwe, Managing Director, Abrolhos. 'This is not just happening in Australia - it's happening around the world. And our catch comes from pristine waters off southwest Australia.'
Abrolhos' octopus wowed food importers at Seafood Export Global (SEG) in Barcelona in 2024 and 2025. The company, which is 100% Australian-owned, is now exporting a fast-growing range of products to Spain, the Netherlands and Scandinavia.
Australia's Star of the Sea
The djinda is a unique species of rock octopus. Its name translates as 'Star of the Sea', and it is exclusive to the clean, shallow waters off southwest Australia.
In 2018, a new fisheries company - Abrolhos - was founded to catch, process and sell these octopus into Australian seafood markets. According to van der Merwe, the way his company manages the fishery makes Abrolhos a global standout.
'Our fishery is 100% sustainable,' he says. 'Our octopus is trap-caught, we don't damage the sea floor, and there is no by-catch.
'There are only 2 octopus fisheries in the world that are certified by the international Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) - and we are one of them.'
The other exceptional feature of the business is the quality of the octopus itself.
'Djinda octopus is very different to the common octopus [Octopus Vulgaris] that dominates seafood markets in Europe,' says van der Merwe. 'Djinda live on a diet of rock lobster. That makes them sweet and naturally tender - and a favourite with chefs.'
A sea of global export opportunities
The company's quick-freezing technique saw it expand into the food-service industry across Australia. Like other premium Australian fisheries, the company also turned its attention overseas.
'We started exporting to Singapore in 2019,' says van der Merwe. 'Then we expanded to Dubai, Hong Kong and countries in Southeast Asia.
'We're now exporting significant amounts every year to Asia and the UAE.'
Spanish love for seafood unlocks entry point
With a 2-decade career in the industry, one particular market caught van der Merwe's eye.
'Spain is the second-largest seafood market in Europe in terms of per capita consumption. Spaniards appreciate high-quality seafood,' says Manuel Barbera, Business Development Manager for Austrade in Barcelona.
'Australian seafood is premium by nature, and our clams, scallops, tuna and barramundi are gaining a reputation in Spanish seafood markets,' he adds. 'The reception in Spain has been excellent.
'What's more, Europeans appreciate responsible fishing practices and pristine waters. This means Australian seafood ticks all the boxes for Spanish importers.'
Abrolhos' sustainably harvested octopus is spreading its tentacles across Europe, with chefs and consumers embracing its sweet and naturally tender flesh.
Catching customers at Seafood Export Global
In April 2024, Abrolhos launched its octopus at Seafood Expo Global (SEG) in Barcelona, which is Europe's premier, annual seafood event.
'I've been going to SEG for 20 years,' says van der Merwe. 'We get the whole world in one place for 3 days. This means I can connect with all my potential customers.'
Abrolhos was part of a dedicated Australia stand at SEG, which Austrade hosts each year. In 2025, the stand included 11 exporters who showcased lobster, abalone, bluefin tuna, barramundi and other Australian fish.
The stand also included a dedicated chef, tasting sessions for buyers and networking functions.
'Abrolhos octopus was a real standout throughout these tasting sessions,' says Barbera. 'The sustainability angle really meant something.'
Netting sales across Europe
Spain has proved an ideal entry point for Abrolhos.
'We began exporting raw octopus to Spain in 2024,' says van der Merwe. 'We partnered with an importer called JMARR Seafoods, and Spain has become a base for re-exports.
The company's Spanish importer supplies to a Dutch distributor. From there the seafood makes its way to supermarkets across the Netherlands.
'Another supplier distributes our octopus across Scandinavia,' says van der Merwe. 'Sustainability is a big issue in these markets and our MSC certification is highly valued.
'As of November 2025, we are exporting containers of octopus each year to Spain for onward distribution across Europe.'
Casting the net into more markets
Abrolhos expects to increase exports as the company develops its range of raw, cooked and value-added octopus products.
'We are a young company, and we are trying to expand what we do,' says van der Merwe. 'We have created an octopus sauce and will shortly launch a terrine.
'We will make these products in Australia and target the European and American markets. There are lots of export opportunities for premium Australian seafood.'
Austrade support vital at trade shows
According to van der Merwe, Austrade will be central to the company's onward expansion.
'You can't put a value on the support we've had from Austrade,' he says. 'They do a fantastic job with seafood stands at trade shows. There's simply no way that individual seafood exporters like me could replicate what Austrade does.
'We will work directly with Austrade as we go to market in Qingdao in China, and we will also look for support when we launch in Boston. Austrade is putting Western Australian seafood on the map and there's no-one who can do it better.'
