Catalan agri-food leads exports with 6.3% growth

Catalan agri-food exports reached €5,398.3 million between January and April 2025, representing growth of 6.33% in value and 4.16% in volume on the same period last year. The increase confirms the sector's high competitiveness and consolidates its resilience in an international scenario marked by geopolitical tensions, logistical instability and uneven global demand.

This performance contrasts with the general trend in Catalan foreign trade. In April Catalan exports fell -4.6% in value on the same month in 2024. Against this backdrop the agri-food sector emerges as one of the most solid drivers of Catalan foreign trade, with a growth trend that contrasts with the fall in Catalan exports as a whole and exceeds the Spanish agri-food average (+4.39%). Catalonia also consolidates its position as the second-largest agri-food exporting region, narrowing the gap with Andalusia, which grew 0.94%.

The coverage ratio stands at 99.73%, close to a trade surplus, a trend that usually consolidates from the second quarter onwards. The indicator reflects an almost balanced trade position and points to positive performance in the months ahead.

Market diversification and a focus on emerging destinations

Catalan companies exported food and drink to 198 markets in the first four months of 2025. Sales to European Union countries, 61.94% of the total, grew 1.51%, while exports to third markets (38.06% of the total) rose by a notable 15.23%.

The markets with the most significant growth include:

• United States (+5.45%), with €195.9M exported and notable increases in Fine Food, juices and fish and shellfish, despite the threat of tariffs.
• United Kingdom (+3.80%, €261.98M), with significant growth in dairy products and Fine Food.
• China (+31.10%, €241.94M), thanks to pork and fish and shellfish.
• Japan (+27.85%, €168.4M), driven by pork.
• The Middle East, Asia and Africa also show significant increases (+56.99%, +22.97% and +18.37% respectively).

This dynamic consolidates Catalan companies' market diversification strategy and strengthens the international presence of the Catalan agri-food sector.

How the main sectors performed

The sector analysis shows mixed performance, shaped by changes in demand and global logistical challenges:

• Meat sector: growth of 3.96% in value and 4.96% in volume. Pork remains globally stable but with significant growth in China, Japan and South Korea.
• Fine Food: notable increase (+26.21% in value and +17.61% in volume), with growth in the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Mexico.
• Fruit and vegetables: slight growth in value (+2.35%) but a fall in volume (-9.41%), indicating higher value per unit exported.
• Wine: a significant setback overall (-13.63% in value and -19.97% in volume), with falls across the board except in a few markets, marked by cava's decline (-24.72% in value and  -29.77% in volume). 
• Olive oil: a sharp fall (-43.90% in value and -8.11% in volume), especially in European markets and the United States.
• Fish and shellfish: up 10.38% in value despite a slight fall in volume, performing well in China, the United Kingdom and Germany.

Outlook and challenges

Despite international uncertainty and the threat of a contraction in world trade in 2025 (the WTO forecasts -0.2% in merchandise trade), the Catalan agri-food sector shows clear signs of dynamism and adaptation. The value-to-volume ratio grew 3.39%, an indicator of higher added value per unit exported, particularly relevant in sectors such as Fine Food and pork.

They also the number of exporting companies keeps rising: between January and April 2025, 3,907 Catalan companies exported (+8.6% on 2024), of which 2,687 are regular exporters (+1.2%). This upward trend reflects a business base that is increasingly active, open and ready to compete in global markets.

Prodeca views these results very positively, especially given the adverse global macroeconomic context. Sustained momentum in new markets, the adoption of differentiated quality criteria and the consolidation of Catalan brands with their own identity show that the country's agri-food companies share internationalisation as a structural strategy.

The commitment to diversification, segmenting the offering and adaptability to international consumers' demands has become a key lever for resilience and growth.

The results for the first four months of 2025 confirm that the Catalan agri-food sector not only withstands volatile environments but also knows how to seize the opportunities change brings. Faced with challenges of costs, tariffs and logistical instability, Prodeca will keep strengthening its overseas promotion activities, supporting companies in their international strategy and working collectively to maximise the impact of the Catalan agri-food brand around the world.