Spain Fish Meal and Fish Pellet Importers | HS Code 230120

Spain is one of the largest consumers of fish meal and fish-based protein ingredients in the European Union. Classified under HS Code 230120, which covers flours, meals, and pellets of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates, these products serve as critical high-protein ingredients in animal feed formulations, aquaculture diets, and livestock nutrition. Spanish importers play a vital role in connecting global fish meal producers with the country's thriving animal nutrition and aquaculture sectors. Below is a comprehensive directory of verified Spanish fish meal importers sourced from official trade data and chamber of commerce records.

HS Code 230120 Overview

HS Code 230120 refers to flours, meals, and pellets of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates. This harmonized system code is used by customs authorities worldwide to classify fish meal products in international trade. Fish meal is a rich source of protein, essential amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals, making it an indispensable ingredient in compound animal feed production. The global fish meal market continues to grow, driven by rising demand from the aquaculture sector, poultry farming, swine production, and pet food manufacturing. Spain, with its extensive coastline and strong fisheries tradition, remains a key player in the European fish meal import market. For information about fish meal importers in Turkey under HS Code 230120 and Turkey's fish meal import records, you can refer to the related pages.

Verified Spanish Fish Meal Importers

1. HERMANOS VILA SA

Hermanos Vila SA is a family-owned trading company founded in 1981, headquartered in Llerona (Les Franqueses del Valles), Barcelona, Catalonia. With over 40 years of experience, the company specializes in the import, export, and marketing of raw materials for animal feed compounders and the agri-food industry. Hermanos Vila is registered under EU Regulation 183/2005 for feed hygiene and holds GMP+ B3 certification, ensuring the highest standards in feed safety and traceability. Since 2022, the company has also been certified by CCPAE as traders of organic raw materials, further expanding its product portfolio. As an importer of fish meal under HS Code 230120, Hermanos Vila supplies Spanish feed manufacturers with high-quality marine protein ingredients sourced from its global supplier network, offering advisory services for customs negotiations and ensuring full contractual compliance throughout the supply chain.

2. ARTABRA SA

Artabra SA is a Galician company based in Arteixo, A Coruña (Galicia, Spain), originally founded in 1950 with a long industrial history in the fish by-products sector. The company historically operated a fish meal production plant in Arteixo with an annual capacity of approximately 4,000 metric tons, producing fish meal with 60% protein content available in 40 kg sacks, pallets, and bulk formats. Although the Arteixo production plant was sold to a German group in 2006, Artabra SA continues to be listed in Galician export and industrial directories as a producer and supplier of fish meal and fish flour for livestock and poultry feed applications. The company operates within Galicia's historically dominant fish meal cluster, which accounts for approximately 80% of Spain's total fish meal production. Galicia's strong fishing tradition and access to Atlantic fisheries make it a strategic hub for the Spanish fish meal industry.

3. PROAQUA NUTRICION SA

Proaqua Nutricion SA, now operating as BioMar Iberia S.A., is based in Duenas, Palencia, Castilla y Leon, Spain. Originally established as a Spanish aquaculture feed company, Proaqua Nutricion was subsequently acquired and rebranded under the BioMar Group, a Danish-headquartered global leader in high-performance aquaculture feed. The Duenas facility in Palencia is one of BioMar's key European production plants, manufacturing specialized fish feed formulations for marine and freshwater species. As an importer of fish meal under HS Code 230120, BioMar Iberia sources premium fish meal as a critical protein-rich ingredient for its aquafeed formulations. The Duenas factory has achieved ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) Feed Certification, reflecting the company's commitment to responsible and sustainable sourcing of marine ingredients. This facility represents a significant link in the European aquaculture supply chain, connecting fish meal producers with the growing Spanish and Portuguese aquaculture industries.

4. INPROQUISA SA

Inproquisa SA is a leading Spanish trading company founded in 1968, with over 56 years of experience in the import, export, and distribution of raw materials for animal feed and human consumption. Headquartered in Madrid (with operations in Mostoles), the company handles over 30,000 metric tons per year of various fish meal qualities and origins, along with fish oils, dairy products, vegetable protein concentrates, and animal-origin proteins. Inproquisa holds the Marin Trust (formerly IFFO RS) Chain of Custody certification, confirming responsible sourcing and full traceability of its marine ingredients from source to end-user. Operating from privately owned warehouses with robust logistics capabilities, Inproquisa serves as one of Spain's most significant fish meal importers and distributors, supplying feed compounders and the broader animal nutrition industry both domestically and internationally. Their extensive experience and certifications make them a trusted partner in the global fish meal trade.

5. TROUW ESPANA SA

Trouw Espana SA, now operating as Trouw Nutrition Espana, is the Spanish subsidiary of Trouw Nutrition, the global animal nutrition division of Nutreco N.V. (headquartered in the Netherlands). Based in Tres Cantos, Community of Madrid, the company operates production facilities in Grinon (Madrid) for compound feeds, premixes, and feed additives, along with a poultry research facility in Castilla-La Mancha. As part of Nutreco's broader animal nutrition and aquaculture platform, Trouw Nutrition Espana imports and utilizes fish meal and marine ingredients for its feed specialty products, premixes, and nutritional solutions targeting livestock, poultry, aquaculture, and pet food applications across Spain and Southern Europe. The Grinon facility was recently expanded into a pet-dedicated premix production plant, reflecting the growing demand for specialized animal nutrition products that incorporate marine protein ingredients.

Spain Fish Meal Market Analysis

Spain's fish meal market is deeply connected to its position as one of Europe's leading fishing nations and a major hub for aquaculture production. The country imports significant volumes of fish meal to supplement its domestic production, which is primarily concentrated in the Galicia region in northwestern Spain. Galicia's fish processing industry generates substantial fish by-products that are converted into fish meal, but domestic production alone cannot meet the growing demand from Spain's animal feed sector. The country's aquaculture industry, which includes sea bass, sea bream, turbot, and trout farming, relies heavily on fish meal-based aquafeeds. Additionally, Spain's poultry and swine industries, among the largest in the European Union, consume considerable quantities of fish meal as a protein supplement. For detailed information on Turkey's fish meal importers and bill of lading data and Peru's fish meal exports, you can explore the linked resources.

The European Union's stringent regulations on animal feed safety, including EU Regulation 183/2005 on feed hygiene, require Spanish importers to maintain rigorous quality control and traceability systems. Certifications such as GMP+ (Good Manufacturing Practice), Marin Trust (IFFO RS), and ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) are increasingly important for companies operating in the Spanish fish meal supply chain. These standards ensure that imported fish meal meets the highest safety and sustainability criteria, providing confidence to end-users in the livestock and aquaculture sectors. For more insights into the broader European fish meal market, see Norwegian fishmeal and fish flour importers and Estonia steam dried fishmeal exporters.

Fish Meal Production and Global Trade

Fish meal is produced by cooking, pressing, drying, and grinding fish or fish by-products into a fine powder or pellet form. The primary sources of raw material include pelagic fish species such as anchovies, sardines, herring, and mackerel, as well as fish processing waste from filleting operations. Major global fish meal producing countries include Peru, Chile, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and the United States. Peru alone accounts for approximately 25-30% of global fish meal production, with its vast anchovy fisheries off the Pacific coast providing a continuous supply of raw material. The global fish meal trade is valued at several billion dollars annually, with the European Union being the largest importing region. For information on UK fish meal importers and Bangladesh fish meal importers, the related pages provide additional market context.

The quality of fish meal varies depending on the raw material used, processing methods, and storage conditions. Premium steam-dried fish meal can contain 65-72% protein, while standard fish meal typically contains 55-65% protein. Fish meal is not only valued for its protein content but also for its favorable amino acid profile, which closely matches the nutritional requirements of many farmed aquatic and terrestrial species. The inclusion of fish meal in animal feed formulations has been shown to improve growth rates, feed conversion ratios, and overall animal health. For a comprehensive overview of importers organized by country and agricultural product import demands, please refer to the linked directory pages.

Spain Animal Feed and Aquaculture Industry

Spain's animal feed industry is one of the largest in the European Union, producing over 25 million tons of compound feed annually. The country's feed manufacturing sector is highly developed, with major international companies such as Trouw Nutrition (Nutreco), BioMar, and Cargill maintaining significant operations. Spanish feed compounders rely on imported fish meal and fish oil to formulate balanced, high-performance diets for poultry, swine, ruminants, and aquaculture species. The country's aquaculture sector has experienced steady growth, with production exceeding 300,000 metric tons annually, including species such as sea bass, sea bream, meagre, turbot, rainbow trout, and bluefin tuna. Spain's diverse geography, with extensive coastlines along the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, provides ideal conditions for both marine and freshwater aquaculture.

Spanish imports of fish meal are facilitated by the country's strong port infrastructure, with major ports such as Barcelona, Valencia, Vigo, and Algeciras serving as entry points for bulk fish meal shipments from South America, Scandinavia, and North Africa. The trading companies listed on this page play a crucial intermediary role, managing logistics, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance to ensure smooth import operations. For Spain's complete importers directory and Spain's bill of lading data for Turkish exporters, the linked resources provide additional information on Spain's import landscape. Also see Torbali fishing and aquaculture industry exporters for Turkish aquaculture feed export opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS Code 230120?

HS Code 230120 covers flours, meals, and pellets of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates. This classification is used globally by customs authorities to identify and regulate fish meal products in international trade. It includes all forms of processed fish meal, fish flour, and fish pellets used primarily as animal feed ingredients.

Who are the main fish meal importers in Spain?

The verified Spanish fish meal importers include Hermanos Vila SA (Barcelona), Artabra SA (A Coruna), Proaqua Nutricion SA / BioMar Iberia (Palencia), Inproquisa SA (Madrid), and Trouw Espana SA / Trouw Nutrition (Madrid). These companies import fish meal under HS Code 230120 for use in animal feed, aquaculture feed, and livestock nutrition applications.

Where does Spain source its fish meal imports from?

Spain imports fish meal from major producing countries including Peru, Chile, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Morocco, and Mauritania. South American countries, particularly Peru, are the largest suppliers due to their abundant pelagic fish resources and well-established fish meal processing industries. Scandinavian countries also supply significant quantities of premium steam-dried fish meal to the Spanish market.