April 7, 2014

The Spanish canning industry exported 146,098 tonnes of prepared, canned and semi-preserved fish and seafood in 2013 amounting to €691.9 million (US$948 million), figures that rank Spain as the largest exporter at community level.

Spain is also among the top positions in the world's exporting countries ranking, according to the National Association of Manufacturers of Canned Fish and Shellfish (Anfaco- Cecopesca).

Canned tuna was the main prepared and canned seafood product shipped overseas in 2013. It accounted for 60% of the volume and 66% of the value. It was followed by canned squid and cuttlefish (9% in volume and 5% in value); and thirdly by the other group of the other canned and processed fish (6% of the volume and 5% of the value).

Last year Spanish prepared and canned fish and seafood were directed to 120 countries from the five continents, being the EU the largest market with a share of 89% both in volume and in value.

Italy was the main importer with 43,211 tonnes worth €214.4 million (US$294 million), followed by France at 34,937 tonnes for €152.5 million (US$209 million), Portugal with 23,108 tonnes for €99.1 million(US$136 million) and the UK at 9,745 tonnes for €56.7 million(US$77.7 million).

Outside the EU, the markets that acquired higher volumes of products were the US at 2,609 tonnes for €15.6 million (US$21.4 million), Morocco with 1,909 tonnes for €3.2 million (US$4.4 million), Algeria with 1,671 tonnes for €7.3 million (US$10 million), Chile with 1,113 tonnes for €4.5 million (US$6.2 million) and Switzerland with 642 tonnes for €6.1 million (US$8.4 million), among other nations.

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