IAG Cargo expands the global reach of Spain’s aquaculture exports

IAG Cargo, the cargo arm of International Airlines Group, is boosting Spain’s aquaculture exports by partnering with Cooke España, one of the country’s leading seafood exporters, as global demand for Mediterranean products grows.

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 Europe’s leading aquaculture producer, generating about 243,000 tonnes of farmed fish and shellfish in 2023, around 23% of the EU’s total output. In 2024, the country’s fish and seafood exports reached roughly €5.5 billion, underscoring its strong global standing in the seafood market.

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.

“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,” says Idoia Martinez, Regional Commercial Manager for Spain and Portugal, IAG Cargo.

Cooke España is a major marine aquaculture producer in the Spanish Mediterranean, based in Águilas, Murcia. The company is part of Cooke Inc., one of the world’s largest aquatic protein producers.

With a workforce of over 650 people, Cooke España is rapidly expanding its presence in global export markets.

IAG Cargo supports this growth with a seamless cold-chain network that enables delivery to restaurants, international supermarket chains, and distributors worldwide in under two days.

“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,” says Manolo Nicolas, Export & Business Development Manager at Cooke España.

IAG Cargo's Constant Fresh service is tailored for the unique requirements of perishable products, supporting exporters of seafood, fruit, vegetables, and flowers across Europe, Latin America, Africa, and beyond. By enabling fast, reliable cold-chain movement, IAG Cargo connects producers to new markets and delivers real economic impact.