Claiming to produce the best quality meat along what Spaniards refer to as “the bonito coast,” the Bay of Biscay on the northern Cantabrian Coast is abundant with albacore tuna stocks — a mainstay of household diets during its June-to-October high season.
Commonly called bonito del norte, white meat tuna and longfin tuna (Thunnus alalunga), the year-round availability throughout Mediterranean, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific waters sees Spain as the principal destination for fresh, frozen, smoked and canned Pacific albacore.
Albacore sales spike over the summer months when they’re at peak freshness, ultimate quality and favorable pricing. While 216 metric tons (MT) of fresh albacore were sold through Barcelona Central Fish Market (Mercabarna) at EUR 5.70 (USD 7) per kilogram between January and July this year, this volume outpaces the 256 MT sold during the whole of 2011 priced at EUR 5.35 (USD 6.55) per kilogram.
In mid-July, Spain’s municipal market fresh albacore prices per kilogram stood at EUR 6.01 (USD 7.36) at Mercamadrid; EUR 6.50 (USD 7.96) at Mercabarna; EUR 5.50 (USD 6.74) at Mercabilbao; and EUR 7.80 (USD 9.55) at Mercavalencia.
“Albacore comes mainly from northern Spain’s Cantabria areas of Vizcaya and Guipuzcoa, the main suppliers to the market,” says Mercabarna’s Jordi Defez Torelló. “It differs from other tunas in that its pectoral fins are very long and importantly, unlike with other types of tuna, albacore’s flesh is white, not red. These features are crucial when assessing this fish for sale, because consumers associate the red meat color with various types of tuna. As such, the price of albacore is “usually” lower than others.”
Torelló further explained that information relating to supplies of frozen albacore is lacking due to poor product marketing.
Turning to canned albacore, Grupo Consorcio revealed a 12 percent share of the Spanish market in June following consumer research by market analysts SymphonyIRI Group. Consorcio’s marketing director, Eduardo Sanfilippo, said: “We registered 63 percent sales volume increase this past year and are ranked the fastest growing brand in the domestic market. This shows the company’s growth and expansion in bonito sales in the domestic market where we were already leader in anchovy sales.”
Flexing its takeover muscle this month over delays to its EUR 12 million (USD 14.7 million) investment in tuna canner Alfageme, Sanfilippo continued: “These excellent results are due in large part to our quality policy and offering premium products at competitive prices. This gives us strength for the rest of 2012, which will be key as we are making a strong bid in the light tuna category, launching new packaging and new references.” Grupo Consorcio comprises the Spanish Canners Consortium, the American Canning Co., the Galician Canners Consortium and dedicated seafood canner Productos Campanal.
As health and sustainability trends continue, Spain has also witnessed the launch of the first Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) labeled seafood products: Retailer El Corte Inglés’ Campos brand canned and frozen albacore. The company is working with suppliers to extend its MSC range and sustainable alternatives, however is unavailable to comment on current albacore sales. The MSC also promote Campos brand Frozen Skinless Albacore Tuna Steaks.
The Madrid-based International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas 2012 Status of Tuna Stocks Report supports the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation’s conclusion that limits to increases in Mediterranean albacore catch were unnecessary, leaving no conservation and management measures in place.
