Smoked salmon market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish smoked salmon market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2024, starting at 16 149 t. Expansion by key player Ahumados Domínguez, including new gourmet corners and strengthened distribution in El Corte Inglés and hypermarkets, supported market presence in 2018. Volume dropped to 13 767 t in 2019 before recovering to 14 542 t in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumption toward packaged, convenient, and healthy foods, boosting demand for smoked salmon.

Market value rose steadily from 265.2 million $ US in 2018 to 309.7 million $ US in 2021. This increase was primarily driven by a spike in raw material costs, which pushed the average price of smoked products up by over 15% in early 2021. Concurrently, retail trends evolved, with Mercadona reformulating its Hacendado brand in 2022 to offer thinner slices with reduced sugar and fat, catering to health-conscious consumers, and introducing new formats like smoked salmon cubes to expand usage occasions.

By 2024, market volume eased to 13 673 t, while value continued climbing to 384.8 million $ US, reflecting ongoing premiumization and price increases beyond the earlier cost pressures.

Production smoked salmon in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's smoked salmon production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 296.3 million US dollars, marking a 10.9% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 13.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 238.8 million US dollars, when production declined by 8.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with an 11.9% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Spain produced 13,986 tonnes of smoked salmon, representing a 12.9% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 12.8%, equating to an average annual rate of 4.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 12,387 tonnes, when production fell by 5.7%.

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

Exports smoked salmon from Spain

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Spain's exports of smoked salmon in volume terms stood at 674 tonnes, reflecting a significant decrease of 20.2% compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 28.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 22.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 15.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Italy, and France were the main markets for Spain's smoked salmon exports in volume terms. Portugal accounted for 41.0% of exports, Italy for 30.0%, and France for 10.7%. Together, these three countries represented 81.7% of total export flows.

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, K $ US

In 2020, Spain's exports of smoked salmon in value terms were recorded at 15.9 million US dollars, down by 11.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 15%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Portugal, Italy, and France—together accounted for 84.3% of Spain's total smoked salmon exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports smoked salmon to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's imports of smoked salmon in volume terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 1,230 tonnes, reflecting a dramatic decrease of 44.7% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 67.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -31.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Germany, and Poland accounted for the largest share of Spain's smoked salmon imports in volume terms. Norway represented 29.2% of imports, Germany 27.2%, and Poland 11.5%. Together, these three countries comprised 67.9% of total import flows.

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, K $ US

Spain's imports of smoked salmon in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 19.729 million US dollars, down by 29.8% from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 48.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -19.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 43.974 million US dollars, when imports increased by 14.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 36.1% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Norway, and France together accounted for 77.6% of Spain's total smoked salmon imports in value terms. Germany represented 40.0% of imports, Norway 19.9%, and France 17.6%, making them the main sources for smoked salmon to Spain.

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

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