Spain’s marine aquaculture sector remains in a “plateau” phase, having moved over the past decade within a range of 60,000 to 70,000 tonnes. This stability confirms a period of consolidation: the sector is not undergoing rapid expansion, but neither does it show signs of structural decline.
Within this scenario, European seabass has consolidated its position as the leading species, reaching 27,376 tonnes in 2024, an 11.4% increase on 2023. Bluefin tuna also stands out, reaching 10,312 tonnes (+5.8%) and continuing to grow from an already high baseline, further strengthening the role of premium products within the sector.
In contrast, gilthead seabream experienced a sharp drop to 10,765 tonnes (-17.9%), while meagre suffered a significant collapse, falling to 5,051 tonnes (-31.6%), affected by production adjustments and competitiveness issues in the markets.
Other species showed a more stable performance. Senegalese sole, with 1,031 tonnes and a slight decline of -4.3%, remains a strategic species in Galicia and Andalusia, with a solid outlook in juvenile production that could translate into greater output in the medium term. Eel, a traditional species in Spanish aquaculture, remains steady at 355 tonnes, destined both for restocking and for consumption.
Looking ahead to 2025, forecasts point to a slight increase to 68,845 tonnes, 5,8% more than in 2024. This expected growth is linked to the recovery of gilthead seabream and the continued expansion of European seabass, according to the recently published Aquaculture in Spain Report by APROMAR.
Overall, Spain maintains stable volumes supported by high-value species and an increasingly diversified production landscape. Although overall output presents a heterogeneous picture, with some species expanding and other declining, the sector’s performance is cushioned by the strong results of premium products. This outlook suggests that 2025 will bring a year of moderate economic recovery for the industry.
| Species | 2023 Production (t) | 2024 Production (t) | 2025 Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) | 13,112 | 10,764 | Approximate growth of +17.9 % |
| European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) | 24,580 | 27,376 | 27,789 t (+1.5 %) |
| Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) | 9,748 | 10,312 | Slightly higher production |
| Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) | 9,600 | 10,058 | Similar to 2024 |
| Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) | 1,077 | 1,031 | 1,095 t |
| Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) | 7,387 | 5,051 | Decline similar to 2024 |
| Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) | 44 | 51 | 88 t |
| European eel (Anguilla anguilla) | ≈355 | 355 | Stable |
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