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In Spain, wine is an important part of the economy, society, landscape, culture and gastronomy. Spain boasts the world’s largest vine area and is the third largest wine producer in the European Union (EU), after France and Italy.

This report focuses on specific Spanish certification requirements that differ from or are in addition to EU-harmonized certification. Compared to 2023, 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 SP2023-0036. 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.

Effective October 1, 2024, authority for Spanish import controls of agricultural products for human consumption has been transferred from the Ministry of Health to the authority of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA).

In 2023, Spain imported $2.2 billion of agricultural and related products from the United States. Outside the European Union Member States, the United States was the fourth largest origin of agricultural and related imports.

Spain is one of the world’s largest markets for fish and seafood. In 2023, Spain was the fourth largest importer of fish and seafood in the world after the United States, China, and Japan.

Top U.S. agricultural exports to the Republic of Ireland include soybean meal, distillers grains, forestry products, racehorses, and distilled spirits. In 2023, U.S. agricultural and related exports totaled $669 million, a 5 percent increase over 2022.

This report focuses on specific Spanish certification requirements that differ from or are in addition to EU-harmonized certification.

This report is an update of GAIN report SP2022-0028. 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.

In 2022, Spain imported $2.2 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 agricultural and related imports.

Irrigation water limitations in the Guadalquivir basin have nearly halved cotton production in Andalusia, Spain’s main producing region.

Spanish tourism is rapidly recovering from the effects of the pandemic and reaching pre-pandemic levels. Demonstrating a definitive return to pre-pandemic normality, 2023 has seen stabilization in the growth of the Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional (HRI) sector.