New Spanish agreement to promote canned seafood products

The National Association of Manufacturers of Fish and Seafood Canned Products – Technology Centre (ANFACO-CYTMA) and the Consellería do Mar of the Xunta de Galicia have signed a collaboration agreement to promote the consumption of canned fish and seafood.

Through a programme of activities to be carried out throughout 2026, the initiative will foster the marketing and positioning of canned and processed fish and seafood products in both domestic and international markets.

With a total budget of €396,880, these activities will focus on digitalisation and knowledge transfer, to strengthen the competitiveness of a strategic sector for Galicia and for the marine-industry complex as a whole.

"Collaboration with the Consellería do Mar is essential to continue conveying to society the value of a major sector and the role of canned products as healthy, accessible foods aligned with new consumer habits," said Secretary General Roberto Alonso.

Finally, ANFACO-CYTMA highlights the relevance of this initiative, given that inflation and changes in household food spending have led to a decline in the consumption of seafood products. The organisation also stresses the need to engage younger audiences and encourage generational consumption.

In 2024, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food confirmed that the fish canning industry will have access to European Next Generation funds for circular economy and digitization projects.

Spain is the largest exporter in the European Union of canned and prepared fish and seafood, and ranks among the top five countries in the world. Canned tuna is the main product produced and exported.