Catalan agri-food exports close the first half of 2026 amid normalising international markets

Catalan agri-food exports closed the first half of 2026 with a performance shaped by a more complex international context than in recent years. After the highs reached in recent financial years, Catalan agri-food exports are evolving in a scenario of normalising international markets, with a change of -7.4% in value and -0.6% in volume. This scenario has been shaped by the normalisation of international prices, restrictions arising from African Swine Fever (ASF), changing consumption habits and global trade tensions. 

This trend coincides with a slowdown in Catalan and European foreign trade as a whole and reflects a change of context following the sharp rise in international prices recorded between 2022 and 2025. Despite this correction, exports remain clearly above pre-2022 levels, showing that the sector still carries significant weight in Catalan foreign trade after the growth of recent years.

This performance comes against a backdrop of weaker international trade affecting much of the European economy and the main exporting countries, following the exceptional cycle of agri-food price pressures experienced between 2022 and 2023 and the gradual normalisation of markets during 2024 and 2025.

“The international context keeps changing rapidly and forces companies to adapt constantly. Despite this more demanding environment, the Catalan agri-food sector maintains a very significant export activity, strengthening its presence in international markets through diversification, innovation and added value” says the director of Prodeca, Dèlia Perpiñà.

The international context shapes exports

The half-year figures reflect a different international context from the recent past, marked by moderating international prices, recovering supply in some products, trade tensions and a geopolitical environment that continues to generate uncertainty. 

Together these factors explain part of the correction recorded during the half-year, although performance varies considerably by sector and destination market. 

The pork sector remains one of the main factors shaping agri-food exports. Restrictions arising from ASF still prevent the full recovery of some strategic Asian markets, which has led to a 22% drop in value and 7.6% in volume for the sector and has forced many companies to redirect sales towards the European market, where competition is more intense. 

In the case of olive oil, exports fall by 13.3% in value, while volume declines less (-4.7%), a trend mainly reflecting the normalisation of prices after the highs reached during the production crisis caused by the drought. The partial recovery of production in the main Mediterranean countries has increased product availability and brought down international prices, which explains why export value fell more than volume.

The wine sector (-7.6% in value) remains in the midst of a structural shift in consumption habits.According to Euromonitor, global wine consumption will continue to fall during 2026 (-1.3%). This trend coincides with greater volatility in international trade, growing competitive pressure and demand increasingly concentrated in premium, higher value-added segments. In this context, product differentiation and market diversification are becoming key to sustaining the sector's international presence.

Fine Food records a moderate 2.5% drop in value but keeps volume practically stable (+1.7%). This divergence reflects pressure on the unit value exported and uneven performance across the different categories it comprises.

Fruit and vegetables also performed positively (+0.5% in value), while fish and seafood remains one of the most dynamic sectors (+8.7%), driven by international demand for healthy products.

Europe gains weight and diversification continues

The European Union now accounts for 65.5% of Catalan agri-food exports and remains the main destination market.At the same time, international diversification continues to advance with growth in markets such as South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Peru, which are gaining weight within the export strategy of Catalan companies.

Overall, the first half of 2026 shows the Catalan agri-food sector entering a new phase of consolidation after the strong growth of recent years. In this scenario, geographical diversification, innovation, product differentiation and companies' capacity to adapt continue to strengthen the sector's international competitiveness.