Browse Data and Analysis

In 2021, Spain imported $1.7 billion of agricultural and related products from the United States. Outside the European Union Member States, the United States was the fifth largest origin of Spanish agricultural and related imports. After the deep recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Spain’s economy is starting to recover, supported by improving domestic demand and a strong rebound of the hotel and restaurant industry as tourism returns to pre-pandemic levels.

Morocco’s MY 2022/2023 citrus production is expected to fall 35 percent from the previous season due to water scarcity and unfavorable weather. Tangerine and mandarin production are expected to decrease by 34 percent from the previous year to 900,000 MT, while orange production should fall by 35 percent to 750,000 MT.

Morocco notified G/SPS/N/MAR/93 on December 8, 2022. The notification concerns Morocco’s marketing couscous and pasta products. Comments are due no later than February 6, 2023. An unofficial translation is included in this report.

This report focuses on specific Spanish certification requirements that differ from or are in addition to EU-harmonized certification. Compared to 2021, this report contains new country-specific certificates as well as updated links to relevant information sources and contacts.

This report is an update of GAIN report SP2021-0032. It outlines the legislation applicable to the export of U.S. food products to Spain, particularly focusing on those rules that differ from EU legislation.

Morocco notified G/SPS/N/MAR/91 on November 2, 2022. The notification concerns Moroccan registration, import and enforcement relating to plant protection products. Comments are due no later than January 1, 2022. An unofficial translation is included in this report.

Morocco continues to import agricultural products derived from genetically engineered (GE) technologies for use in animal feed products. No GE products have been developed or commercialized for local production in Morocco. GE products are not allowed for human consumption.

This report describes the agricultural biotechnology sector in Spain, covering production and trade, policy, and marketing aspects. It includes topics related to plant, animal, and microbial biotechnology. Spain is a powerhouse for agricultural biotechnology in the European Union, as the country remains the largest grower of biotech corn and a major consumer of feed ingredients.

Morocco has become the 15th-largest fruit exporter in the world by value. According to the most recent estimates (2019) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 66 percent of its land area is devoted to agriculture, with more than 7 percent devoted to fruit production.

Morocco notified G/SPS/N/MAR/89 on October 27, 2022. The notification concerns Morocco’s list and limits of food additives authorized for use in primary products and food products, as well as the information to be displayed on their packaging. Comments are due no later than December 25, 2022. An unofficial translation is included in this report.

Morocco notified G/SPS/N/MAR/87 on October 17, 2022. The notification concerns Morocco’s maximum limits of contaminants in food and food products. Comments are due no later than December 16, 2022. Note that the Government of Morocco approved the Joint Order and published it in the Official Bulletin #7136 on October 20, 2022. An unofficial translation is included in this report.

Irrigation water limitations in the Guadalquivir basin resulted in lower area planted to cotton for MY 2022/23 and a significant drop in yields. Cotton production has also been negatively affected by pest incidence. Industry sources argue that Spanish farmers should be eligible for cotton specific support despite the reduction in yields.