This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 5 2025.
In July Minister Luis Planas of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food presented seven newly signed cooperation agreements with industry organisations supported by a public investment of over €410,000. The aim is to boost the consumption of fish, seafood, and related products such as canned goods to try and reverse a worrying long-term trend: seafood consumption in Spain has fallen by nearly 30% over the past decade despite investments of over EUR11.5m in promotional initiatives by the ministry since 2019. In 2024, per capita consumption dropped by 3.7% year-on-year to just 22.3 kg. Most of this consumption – around 17.9 kg – is within households, and while prices have risen by 4% on average (above the general food price increase of 2.8%), the minister noted that seafood remains available across a wide price spectrum. Campaigns will target young people and urban residents, with a focus on modern, ready-to-cook formats and messaging that highlights health benefits, sustainability, and the cultural heritage of Spanish fisheries. The organisations involved in the new promotional agreements include Fedepesca (the National Federation of Fish Retailers), the Spanish Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds, Anfaco-Cecopesca (the National Association of Fish and Seafood Canning Producers), Anfabasa (the National Association of Cod and Salted Fish Producers), Interfish-España (the Interprofessional Fisheries Organisation), Conxemar (the Spanish Association of Fish Importers, Exporters and Processors), and the Association of Fisheries Producer Organisations.