Catalonia seeks to position itself as a trade partner for Southeast Asian countries

The institutional trip by the President of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, to Vietnam and Singapore, held from 25 to 30 July, has placed Southeast Asia at the centre of Catalonia's internationalisation strategy. The mission, the first by a Catalan President to the region, aimed to strengthen political, economic and trade relations with two of Asia's most dynamic markets and to position Catalonia as a strategic partner for developing new business projects.

During his institutional mission, Salvador Illa stressed that «closed economies have no future» and highlighted the pressing need to open new international markets for Catalan competitiveness. The figures back this commitment: over the past decade, Catalan exports to Southeast Asia have doubled — growing by more than 103% — to reach 1,647.8 million euros. At present, 1,274 Catalan companies export regularly to these countries, with agri-food products standing out, alongside other leading industries. In the case of Vietnam, Catalonia accounts for 37.6% of all Spanish exports, reinforcing its aspiration to consolidate strategic partnership status.

 

 

 

 

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Vietnam and Singapore, two markets with potential for the Catalan agri-food sector

Vietnam has established itself as one of the destinations with the greatest growth potential and as a key gateway to Southeast Asia for Catalan agri-food. Sector exports during the first four months of 2026 grew by 111% to €39.11M, driven mainly by the meat sector and especially pork, which accounts for 88% of the total exported and has risen by 154%. This strong momentum, helped by the framework of the Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), consolidates Vietnam as a high-volume alternative market for Catalan pork and is beginning to open up diversification opportunities in categories such as beverages, dairy products and food ingredients. 

Singapore, for its part, acts as a premium market with high purchasing power and as a logistics hub for redistribution across the region. Over the same period in 2026, Catalan agri-food sales to Singapore doubled, growing by 106% to €14.02M. Although fresh pork remains the main driver of exports, accounting for 65% of the total, Singapore stands out for strong growth in demand for higher value-added products such as Fine Food — especially beverages and juices — vegetable oils and wine, consolidating itself as a leading strategic trade platform. 

Prodeca's ongoing commitment to Southeast Asia

This institutional action is aligned with Prodeca's roadmap. In recent months the organisation has rolled out various activities in the region to help Catalan companies position the quality, food safety and distinctiveness of their products.

On the one hand, Singapore acts as Southeast Asia's main logistics and financial hub and as a gateway to neighbouring markets. Within this framework, Prodeca organised the group participation of 13 Catalan companies and wineries at the prestigious ProWine Singapore trade fair, facilitating business meetings with importers, distributors and HORECA professionals from across the continent. In parallel, and as part of the European trade mission at Food & Hospitality Asia, Prodeca led technical promotion activities for extra virgin olive oil under the slogan “Olive Oil from Catalonia. Diversity as Expression”, showcasing native varieties and the gastronomic value of Catalan oil.

On the other hand, opening up to the region's halal market is another pillar of strategic action.Prodeca took an active part in the Vietnam Halal Trade & Muslim-Friendly Tourism Conference 2026, a key event for identifying certification requirements and new business opportunities for the Catalan agri-food sector in a country with high growth and demand for imported agri-food products.

Promotion in the area will also be reinforced by organising a business trip to Malaysia, designed to facilitate bilateral (B2B) meetings and commercial scouting visits to Kuala Lumpur's main distribution channels. This activity will allow the participating Catalan companies to assess on the ground the opportunities offered by a rapidly expanding market with an emerging middle class showing growing interest in high-end European products.
 

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