Rising exports of gazpacho and vegetable juices: opportunities for Catalan companies
The Catalan exports of gazpacho and vegetable juices rose notably in the first four months of 2025. This positive trend is in line with global trends towards healthy eating and convenience, and opens new opportunities for Catalan companies in the sector.
1. Main destination markets by export value
Exports in this segment reached a value of more than €67.3 million between January and April 2025. France, Belgium and the United Kingdom lead the destination market ranking, with significant increases on the same period the previous year.
France, with €26.3 million exported and growth of +95.5%, remains the undisputed leading market, with almost three times the export value of the second-placed country. These figures show solid, sustained growth that confirms France as a key country for Mediterranean cuisine and healthy products, presumably distributed through large retail, organic shops and HORECA.
Belgium (€9.5 million) recorded the period's most spectacular growth (+6,585%). This increase could be attributed to gazpacho and juices becoming everyday summer products, as well as to Belgian consumers' growing interest in "fresh & natural" foods.
In the United Kingdom (€5.0 million, +15,936,996%) the disproportionate growth percentage points to a significant revival of the British market. Here, gazpacho is positioned as a different, functional offering in a post-Brexit environment where consumers value European quality and branding.
Another significant market is Poland (€4.2 million, +8.9%), an emerging EU economy with a young, urbanised middle class where consumption of vegetable juices and healthy drinks is growing especially in urban channels.
Also, Netherlands (€3.3 million, +8.7%) is a market on trend, where products such as gazpacho could be very well received in organic, HORECA and healthy vending channels.
2. Markets with the highest relative growth
Besides absolute values, it is essential to highlight the countries showing notable percentage increases, as they may represent future strategic opportunities:
- United Kingdom: +15,936,996%
- Belgium: +6,585%
- Austria (additional data): +73.6%
- South Korea: +111.6%
- Portugal: positive and growing (see below)
These figures point to markets that are emerging or clearly reviving, where it may be worth investing in promotion, brand establishment or consolidating sales channels.
3. Portugal: an emerging market with potential
Although it is not among the top five markets in absolute value, Portugal is performing clearly positively, as exports have followed a rising trend in 2025 with a significant percentage increase (11%). In other periods a value of more than €3/kg has been recorded, indicating mid-to-high-range positioning.
These figures suggest Portugal may be turning to vegetable juices and smoothies as part of balanced diets. Its cultural and culinary closeness to Catalonia and its receptiveness to Mediterranean products suggest a market with growth potential, especially in cities such as Lisbon and Porto, and through local retail, organic boutiques and the HORECA channel.
4. International trends aligned with this growth
The strong results in the first four months are partly explained by alignment with several global consumption trends:
Global trend | Impact on Catalan gazpacho/vegetable juices |
Healthy, natural eating | Increases demand in all markets |
Convenient (on-the-go) formats | Gains consumption in offices, fitness and travel |
Health-focused post-pandemic consumption | Greater interest in green juices, smoothies and organic |
Mediterranean cuisine booming | Strengthens Catalonia's brand narrative |
Plant-based and functional products | Responds to flexitarian or vegan diets |
5. Strategic conclusions
- France is confirmed as the leading market, thanks to its structural and cultural weight.
- Belgium and the United Kingdom emerge as distinctive short-term success stories.
- Countries such as Portugal, South Korea, Austria and Poland should be seen as sources of qualitative growth in terms of €/kg value and dynamism.
- It is key to continue strengthening the narrative of health, Mediterranean flavour and sustainability in the international communication of Catalan gazpacho and vegetable juices.
- It is advisable to segment the export strategy by channel (retail, HORECA, organic, e-commerce) and market profile (established vs emerging).
This article is based on export data from the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT) and consumption data from Euromonitor International.
