Aquafeed production in the Mediterranean is showing a structurally uneven pattern in 2025, with Turkey reinforcing its position as the region’s dominant producer while key EU countries remain largely stable. Based on the latest figures from the Alltech Agri-Food Outlook 2026, the region maintains significant output levels, but with clearly divergent growth dynamics across countries.
Turkey stands out as the leading producer, reaching 780,000 tonnes of aquafeed – more than the combined output of Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal. Greece follows at a considerable distance with 220,000 tonnes, ahead of Spain at 190,000 tonnes. Italy remains at 150,000 tonnes, while Portugal accounts for a more modest 60,000 tonnes.
Beyond current volumes, recent trends highlight a deeper structural divide. EU Mediterranean producers are showing limited growth, while Turkey continues to expand, supported by a strong-oriented production model.
Spain, for instance, has move only marginally from around 180,000 tonnes in 2023 to approximately 190,000 tonnes in 2025, reflecting a broadly stable but non-expansive trajectory. Italy, meanwhile, has remained effectively flat at around 150,000 tonnes over the same period.
| Country | Production (tonnes) | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 780,000 | 55.7% |
| Greece | 220,000 | 15.7% |
| Spain | 190,000 | 13.6% |
| Italy | 150,000 | 10.7% |
| Portugal | 60,000 | 4.3% |
| Total | 1,400,000 | 100% |
Source: own elaboration based on Alltech Agri-Food Outlook 2026 data.
This pattern aligns with the broader evolution of the European aquafeed sector. Following a contraction in 2023, production recovered slightly in 2024, but without signalling a sustained growth phase. Instead, gains appear to be driven primarily by operational adjustments and efficiency improvements rather than a structural increase in output.
As a result, the Mediterranean is increasingly defined by a dual model. On one side, Turkey represents a growth-driven system based on intensification and international market integration. On the other, EU producers operate within a more mature framework shaped by regulatory constraints, environmental limits and rising production costs, which collectively restrict expansion potential.
Looking ahead, this divergence is likely to widen. While global demand for farmed seafood continues to grow, the competitiveness of EU Mediterranean producers will depend less on scaling volumes and more on improving efficiency, product differentiation and margin resilience in an increasingly volatile market environment.
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