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Spanish canning sector on high alert over potential Moroccan sardine export ban

SPAIN
Friday, January 09, 2026, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

The trade association ANFACO-CYTMA warns that Morocco's suspension of exports—providing 94% of Spain's non-EU sardine supply—is a protectionist move threatening national employment.

The Spanish processing and canning industry is facing a period of critical uncertainty. ANFACO-CYTMA has raised the alarm following an announcement in parliament by Morocco’s Secretary of State for Marine Fisheries, Zakia Driouich, confirming the country's intention to temporarily suspend frozen sardine exports starting February 1.

A direct hit to Spanish industrial supply

The measure, which according to the neighboring country aims to prioritize the domestic market and Moroccan factories due to a shortage of landings, directly impacts the operations of canneries in Spain. Between January and October 2025, Spanish imports of this raw material from Morocco reached 27,400 tons, representing 94% of all sardines imported by Spain from outside the European Union.

Roberto Alonso, Secretary General of ANFACO-CYTMA, described the decision as "contradictory." According to the executive, while Morocco cites sustainability concerns, the strategy appears designed to secure raw materials for its own national factories, which then export the finished product back to the European market, competing directly with Spanish production.

Competitive imbalance and industry figures

Competition within the community market is increasingly uneven. Data from 2025 (January–October period) reflects the scale of the challenge for the Spanish sector:

• EU Imports: The European market absorbed 17,538 tons of Moroccan canned sardines, accounting for 89% of its total non-EU imports.

• Spanish Production: In 2024, the Spanish industry produced 13,503 tons of canned sardines, a volume now surpassed by the import levels of its North African competitor.

Legal conflict and the response from Brussels

The sector argues that this restriction violates the international legal framework. The Association Agreement between the European Union and Morocco, in force since 2000, mandates a stable and predictable trade environment. Furthermore, the measure conflicts with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, specifically GATT Articles XI and XX, which prohibit quantitative export restrictions without rigorous technical justification.

In light of this situation, ANFACO-CYTMA has intensified its diplomatic efforts:

1. On October 31, it submitted formal letters of concern to the Moroccan Fisheries Secretariat.

2. It has officially escalated the issue to the Government of Spain and the European Commission, demanding that Brussels take action against what they consider a disguised protectionist measure.

Proposed solution: scientific management over trade barriers

The Spanish industry emphasizes that resource sustainability is a shared priority but maintains that the solution must be technical rather than political. They propose collaborating with leading institutions, such as the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), to implement effective landing controls and management based on scientific data.

The resolution of this conflict, with its logistical epicenter in Vigo, will determine the immediate future of employment and the economic viability of one of Spain’s most traditional and strategic industries.

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