IAG Cargo is supporting the international expansion of Spain’s aquaculture market through its collaboration with Cooke España, one of the country’s main exporters, as global demand for Mediterranean seafood continues to rise.
Cooke España’s sea bass, sea bream and meagre reach international markets in under 48 hours, owing to IAG Cargo’s temperature-controlled Constant Fresh service.
Spain is currently Europe’s leading aquaculture producer 1, producing around 243,000 tonnes of farmed fish and shellfish in 2023, representing 23% of the EU’s total aquaculture output 2.
In 2024, Spanish fish and seafood exports reached approximately €5.5 billion, highlighting the country’s global position in the seafood trade3.
Alongside the traditional markets in North America and Asia, Spain’s aquaculture trade with Latin America is rapidly expanding, driven by increased cargo volumes between the two regions.
In 2024, IAG Cargo recorded a 38.5% year-on-year increase in the volume of goods shipped from Spain to Latin America, reflecting rising demand.
IAG Cargo recently invested €1.5 million in expanding its perishable goods facilities in Madrid, increasing its capacity by 45% to support this growth.
The Madrid hub now features 1,340 square metres of space dedicated exclusively to temperature-controlled perishable cargo, ensuring product freshness and providing greater capacity for customers.
In just the first half of 2025, this investment has already delivered significant results, with a 10% increase in the perishable tonnage handled compared with the same period in 2024.
Idoia Martinez, Regional Commercial Manager for Spain and Portugal at IAG Cargo, stated: “At IAG Cargo, fish and seafood are among the most temperature-sensitive products we handle.
“That is why we have prioritised investment in dedicated infrastructure and services that ensure consistent quality in shipments to markets worldwide.
“The success story of Cooke España is a great example of how logistics can unlock global opportunity for regional producers, securing jobs, strengthening local communities and creating new trade routes for Spain’s world-class produce.”
Cooke España is a leading marine aquaculture company in the Spanish Mediterranean, headquartered in Aguilas, Murcia. It is part of the international group Cooke Inc., one of the world’s largest producers of aquatic protein.
The company employs more than 650 people and is experiencing significant growth in export destinations.
IAG Cargo’s seamless cold chain facilitates delivery to restaurants, global supermarket chains and distributors across the globe in under two days.
Cooke’s freshly harvested fish is transported from Aguilas to Madrid to be loaded into aircraft holds and flown to international destinations, either directly from the Madrid hub or via London Heathrow airport.
Manolo Nicolas, Export & Business Development Manager at Cooke España, said: “IAG Cargo is integral to our growth. Its reach, speed and flexibility allow us to offer fresh, high-quality fish to our customers.”
“The IAG Cargo team in Madrid acts as an extension of our own, ensuring seamless exports, compliant documentation and reliable delivery every time.
“Each shipment helps us sustain employment and investment in our local community. With IAG Cargo as a trusted partner, we can take advantage of new opportunities and plan confidently for the future.”