Catalan exports of food and drinks to countries signatories to the treaty amounted to €92.77 million in 2018. The figure represents 0.94% of Catalonia's total food exports. In terms of imports, in 2018 we imported from Mercosur agri-food products with a value of €984.3 M, which are distributed as follows: seeds (36.2%), cereals (23.2%), coffee (5.3%), fruit (3.6%), fish and shellfish (1.4%) and fats (1.3%). 

The entry into force of the Mercosur-European Union free trade agreement could mean savings of 11.9 million euros for the Catalan agri-food industry. The commercial agreement, still to be ratified, will result in the total or gradual disappearance of tariff rates, benefiting key sectors in Catalan exports, such as wine and cavas, olive oil and meat products. 

Average consumption of food products per person in Catalonia

Overview of how expenditure on food products in Catalonia is broken down according to its category. 

Agro-food growth in the world

The agri-food sector in the world has great potential and prospects for growth. An increase in global demand and spending is expected and is a powerful investment focus. 

Catalonia is the best rated region by Financial Times for foreign investment. The agri-food sector covers 12.9% of the total foreign investments made in Catalonia. 

Catalonia has increased its agri-food exports by 4.02% in the first half of 2019 and for the first time reaches a trade surplus in agri-food matters. 

Food and beverage exporting companies have been growing significantly in the 2007-2017 period, reaching 5,933 companies in 2017, 1.23% more than in 2016. In 10 years, food and beverage exporting companies have increased by 42.14%. 

In 2018, agri-food exports to Catalonia generated a business volume of €9,842m, an increase of 21.97% in the period from 2013 to 2018. This date makes it the European leader in growth. 

The Port of Barcelona is the leader in southern Europe and 4th in the world, with 2.5 million cruise passengers, while the Airport has 40 million passengers and is an important center for the transport of goods. These data are an example that Catalonia has a network of infrastructures that allow global connectivity conducive to international trade. 

Prodeca has carried out, in collaboration with Acció, the first mapping of the agri-food sector in Catalonia, taking into account its entire value chain. It includes from the primary sector to the agri-food processing industry, distribution or points of sale and consumption (Horeca sector). On the other hand, it takes into account all the specialized auxiliary industry (packaging, aromas, ingredients, processing machinery, packaging machinery, logistics...).