Dried, salted, brined or smoked fish and fish flours market in Spain, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Spanish market for dried, salted, brined or smoked fish and fish flours reached 62 024 t, supported by modern smoking techniques that enhanced product flavor and texture, and by growing consumer interest in eco-certified and umami-rich products, which aligned with health and sustainability trends.

Market volume in physical terms declined over the following years, falling to 45 155 t in 2020 before a partial recovery to 49 201 t in 2021, and settling at 42 663 t by 2024. Despite this drop in tonnage, the market's value grew from 669.6 million $ in 2018 to 717.0 million $ in 2024, indicating a shift toward higher-priced products or increased unit values across the period.

Production dried, salted, brined or smoked fish and fish flours in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Spain, the output value of dried, salted, brined or smoked fish and fish flours reached $491.9 million in 2020, marking a 3.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 2.4%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at $507.3 million, with the largest year-on-year increase of 1.7% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Production of dried, salted, brined or smoked fish and fish flours in Spain fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, output totaled 31 720 tonnes, down 8.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production dropped by 11.4%, averaging a 3.9% annual decline. The peak was in 2018 at 37 761 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 5.5%. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, with an 8.7% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried, salted, brined or smoked fish and fish flours from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, Spain's exports of dried, salted, brined or smoked fish and fish flours rebounded in 2020, reaching 16 649 tonnes—a 15.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall decreased by 3%, averaging a 1.0% annual decline. The lowest point was in 2019 at 14 427 tonnes, which also experienced the largest drop of 13.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Italy, and Morocco were the leading markets for Spain's exports in volume terms, accounting for 20.6%, 19.8%, and 16.1% of total flows, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 56.5% of all exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year downturn, Spain's exports of dried, salted, brined or smoked fish and fish flours saw an upturn in 2020, with a value of $122.9 million—up 4.0% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $118.1 million, which also saw the most significant decline of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, France, and Portugal remained the top buyers of Spain's dried, salted, brined or smoked fish and fish flours in value terms, with shares of 35.9%, 19.3%, and 16.0%, respectively. Combined, these three markets made up 71.3% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried, salted, brined or smoked fish and fish flours to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's imports of dried, salted, brined or smoked fish and fish flours declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 30 084 tonnes, reflecting an 18.4% year-on-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 27.9%, averaging a 10.3% annual reduction.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain sourced dried, salted, brined or smoked fish and fish flours from a diverse range of markets. Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the Netherlands were the largest suppliers, accounting for 23.3%, 14.0%, and 9.8% of imports in volume, respectively. Together, they represented 47.1% of total imports, with numerous smaller destinations making up the remaining 52.9%.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's imports of dried, salted, brined or smoked fish and fish flours decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value reached $212.1 million, a substantial 16.2% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 20.1%, with an average annual decrease of 7.2%. The highest value was in 2018 at $292.5 million, which also saw the largest increase of 10.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, the distribution of import value was highly fragmented. Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the Netherlands were the top sources, with shares of 24.0%, 13.8%, and 10.0%, respectively. Together, they accounted for just 47.8% of total imports, indicating no single partner dominated the market.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020