Spanish consumers have discovered that some Cuca sardine tins are packaged in Morocco. The mention has sparked controversy around the historic brand born in Galicia, which has not specified the fish’s exact origin.
The Spanish fishing fleet has shrunk by more than 60% since 1986. At the same time, purchases of Moroccan fish have surged by nearly 50% since 2018, fueling the anger of Spanish industry professionals, who denounce different constraints on the two sides of the Mediterranean.
Sardines are reportedly moving toward cooler waters farther from Morocco’s usual fishing grounds. This is a problem for fishers, who are forced to travel greater distances as fuel prices rise sharply.
Morocco is home to 343 invasive alien species. Their potential economic impact could reach $2.47 billion per year, according to a study that, for the first time, quantifies their cost across the Kingdom.
Beneath the Atlantic, between Morocco and the Canary Islands, a underwater mountain rich in strategic minerals is transforming an old border dispute into a major issue for Spain, the kingdom, and the European Union.
As Morocco limits its frozen fish exports since February 2026, demand is exploding in France. To stock shelves under siege, French canning factories are deploying formidable adaptation strategies .
Despite its status as Africa’s leading exporter, the Moroccan maritime fishing sector is on the brink of collapse. A recent report warns of critical fish stock depletion, directly threatening the survival of this "blue gold".
During this Ramadan, fish prices have seen a marked increase in Morocco , particularly for sardines. Between irregular supplies and increased demand, the instability of prices on the markets complicates the daily lives of families and merchants.
As Ramadan approaches, the price of sardines has crossed the historic threshold of 50 dirhams per kilo in Morocco. This unprecedented surge is explained by the end of the biological rest period and unfavorable weather conditions.
Morocco has established itself as the undisputed global leader in canned sardines . With more than 15,000 tons exported each year, the Kingdom is transforming its maritime resources into a massive industrial weapon, generating thousands of jobs where others are limited to fresh fish.
The European Commission (EC) has approved a proposal to open negotiations for a new fisheries agreement between the European Union (EU) and Morocco, announced on Tuesday Costa Kadis, the European Commissioner for Fisheries, before the Spanish deputies and senators.
French canners are warning about the scarcity of wild sardines. This situation, linked to climate fluctuations and overfishing in Moroccan waters, is likely to cause prices to soar in French and European supermarkets.