Exports from the Aragonese food industry have quadrupled in a decade.

Aragon ‘s food industry has once again surpassed its own records, closing out 2024 with a record export figure of €3.713 billion. This represents a 5% growth compared to 2023 and confirms the sector’s upward trajectory, which has quadrupled the value of its foreign sales over the last decade, consolidating its position as a key pillar of the Aragonese economy. This is great news at a difficult time for Aragonese foreign trade, brought about by Trump’s tariffs on sectors such as wine.   

The meat subsector continues to lead the way, experiencing an increase of over 8%, rising from €2.271 billion in exports in 2023 to €2.457 billion in 2024. China remains the main destination for these products, with a turnover of €314 million, closely followed by Italy (€305 million), with growing diversification into Asian and Eastern European markets. 

The performance of the rest of the agri-food sectors has been mixed, although there has been notable growth in fruits and vegetables (6.8%), oils (67%), juices (31%), and pastries and baked goods (1.2%). In contrast, sectors such as milling, sweets, and wine have recorded slight declines.  

EUROPE, MAIN DESTINATION

Europe remains the main destination for Aragon’s food exports, accounting for 69% of the total, while Asian markets account for 26%. Together, France, Italy, China, Japan, Poland, Germany, Portugal, Romania, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom account for 71% of the sector’s total foreign sales.  

In addition to its weight in the trade balance, the food industry has been key to Aragon’s trade surplus, contributing more than 80% of this positive balance in 2024, with a contribution exceeding €2.9 billion.  

CLAIMS OF THE SECTOR

Despite these positive results, the sector is demanding greater institutional support to maintain its growth in international markets. One of its main demands is a national campaign to promote Aragonese Foods, which would strengthen the presence of Aragonese products at trade fairs and missions. Currently, it is up to four times more expensive for agri-food companies in the region to participate in these strategic events than those from other regions.  

Another key aspect is the improvement of logistics infrastructure. Aragon has established itself as a powerhouse in food processing, but to maintain its competitiveness, it is essential to guarantee a stable supply of raw materials and efficient access to foreign markets. In this regard, the sector emphasizes the need to improve access to the European market through the Pyrenees and optimize rail connections with ports on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.  

GENERALIZED DECLINE IN FOREIGN TRADE

The growth of the food industry contrasts with the general trend of Aragonese exports, which in 2024 registered a 4.9% decrease compared to 2023, totaling €16,766.6 million. In Spain as a whole , exports grew by barely 0.2%, but the decline in Aragon has been more pronounced, largely driven by the 21.6% collapse in foreign sales of the automotive sector, historically the largest exporter in the region.