Browse Data and Analysis

In 2022, Spain imported $1.98 billion worth of agricultural, seafood and forest products from the United States, up 28 percent compared to the previous year. The latest European Union (EU) economic forecast predicts that Spain's growth forecast will be 1.9 percent in 2023, above the EU average.

The Spanish strawberry sector is robust, with production mainly destined for the domestic market, the EU, and UK. Other berry production, especially blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, has become an alternative in recent years to strawberry production as a value-added crop for Spanish farmers.

Several Spain grain supply chain actors have released their first estimates for grain production for MY 2023/24 and concur with the poor crop prospects.

This report presents an overview of Spain’s soybean and products market. Imports of soybean and soybean products to Spain amount on average to nearly 6 million metric tons (MT) per year. The robust, dynamic, and export-oriented livestock sector drives the country’s feed ingredients demand.

Spanish cattle production may continue to decrease in 2023 due to high production costs, expected reduction of Spanish live cattle exports to non-EU markets, and the severe drought experienced in Spain since fall 2022 that has impacted cattle feed.

Spain is facing a second consecutive year of poor grains crops. While northernmost grain producing areas still hold production potential, yields in the country’s southeast are estimated to have declined significantly.

Spain is a net exporter of wood pellets. The country's pellet production hit a new record in 2022, amounting to 768,000 Metric Tons (MT).

Uzbekistan’s cotton production in marketing year (MY) 2023/24 is forecast unchanged from the previous year at 675,000 metric tons (MT) (3.10 million bales).

Spain is one of the largest markets worldwide for fish and seafood. In 2022, Spain was the fourth largest importer of fish and seafood in the world after the United States, China, and Japan.

The drought in Andalucía is anticipated to prevent further expansion of Spain’s cotton area in MY 2023/24. Irrigation water allocation will be critical for farmer’s planting decisions, and temperatures and pest incidence during the summer months will also determine final yields.

In 2022, Spain imported $2.1 billion worth of agricultural, seafood and forest products from the United States, up 27 percent compared to the previous year. After high rates of consumer price inflation in 2022, the latest European Union economic forecast shows Spain’s economic growth forecast at 1.4 percent in 2023 and 2.0 percent in 2024.

As of January 1, 2023, Spain implemented a special tax on non-reusable plastic packaging that also applies to imported food products. For imports, payment of the tax is the responsibility of the importer, although third country manufacturers must provide their Spanish buyers with information regarding the amount of non-recyclable plastic packaging used in their products’ packaging.