Strategic Dialogue at Aquafarm: Italy and Spain Address Seafood Mislabeling and Supply Chain Transparency
PORDENONE, February 19, 2026 – At the latest edition of Aquafarm, Italy’s premier international exhibition for aquaculture and the fish supply chain, industry leaders from Italy and Spain convened to address critical challenges facing the Mediterranean seafood market. The bilateral exchange focused on the growing prevalence of mislabeling within the Ho.Re.Ca. (Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering) sector and the urgent need for transparent origin labeling for consumers.
The Challenge of Mislabeling in the Mediterranean
As two of Europe’s leading seafood consumers—with annual consumption exceeding 30 kg per capita—Italy and Spain face a strategic hurdle regarding product integrity. A recent FAO report highlighted the risks of mislabeling, defined as the incorrect or incomplete disclosure of a fish species, its origin, or its production method when served in dining establishments.
The scale of this issue is significant, given that over 50% of fish consumption in Italy occurs through the restaurant channel. The discussion featured a panel of experts, including:
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Matteo Leonardi, President of the Association of Italian Fish Farmers (API).
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José Manuel Fernández Polanco, Professor of Applied Economics at the Universidad de Cantabria.
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María Luisa Álvarez Blanco, General Director of Federpesca.
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Alejandro Guelfo (misPeces), who served as the session moderator
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Matteo Leonardi, President of the Association of Italian Fish Farmers (API).
Addressing Import Dependency
A central theme of the debate was the structural imbalance between domestic demand and national production. Despite a strong Mediterranean culinary identity, both nations rely heavily on foreign markets
| Market | Import Reliance |
| Italy |
Over 75% of seafood consumed is imported. |
| Spain |
Similar high percentages of foreign dependency. |
President Leonardi noted that while Italian aquaculture is highly qualified and expanding, it currently cannot meet the consistently high volume of domestic demand.
A Vision for Quality and Food Sovereignty
The API emphasized that the “heritage” of Italian aquaculture—built on safety, traceability, and quality—must be recognized as a competitive advantage. By implementing stricter labeling requirements at the restaurant level, the industry aims to protect consumers while fostering a more resilient national production sector.
“Providing clarity on the final link of the supply chain allows for informed demand, which in turn directs purchasing choices and correctly values national production,” stated Leonardi.
The consensus reached at Aquafarm suggests that Italy and Spain must align their economic policies to treat seafood transparency not just as a consumer protection issue, but as a vital component of food sovereignty. Enhanced transparency is expected to stimulate further investment and drive the long-term growth of the aquaculture industry.
