Agri-food and fisheries exports increased 3% in 2023 and exceeded 70 billion euros for the first time

Agri-food and fisheries exports recorded a record 70.431 billion euros in 2023, with a result that recovered from the previous year's decline and grew 10 % to 15.472 billion euros. The data is reflected in the Annual Report on Foreign Trade 2023 from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which has been published on the website.

This report is a detailed and updated analysis of the main figures and indicators that provide in-depth knowledge of the current situation of foreign trade in the agri-food and fisheries sector, based on provisional data for 2023 from the Customs and Excise Department of the State Tax Administration Agency.

In 2023, the effects on the European and global economy due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict continued. In this scenario, still characterised by high international commodity prices, which declined throughout the year, exports in the Spanish economy as a whole fell 1%. However, the agri-food and fisheries sector performed differently from most other economic sectors and recorded a 3% increase compared to 2022, exceeding 70 billion euros for the first time.

For the economy as a whole, imports fell 7.6% in 2023. In the agri-food sector, on the other hand, they increased 1.2% to 54.959 billion euros.

In line with previous data, the trade balance (exports minus imports) recovered from the decline in 2022 and increased 10%, totalling 15.472 billion euros.

The important role played by the agri-food and fisheries sector in Spain's foreign trade is reflected in the fact that its exports accounted for 18.4% of the economy's total, compared to 13% of its imports.

For the main exporting sub-sectors in 2023:

• In terms of economic importance, the meat group leads with 10.299 billion euros, followed by fruit with 9.977 billion euros and vegetables with 8.864 billion euros.
• The meat and fish preparations group is the group with the highest increase in exports compared to 2022, with an increase of 10.9 % and a total export value of 2.458 billion euros. This is followed by the vegetables and pulses group, which has increased 9.9% with an export value of 8.864 billion euros.
• Exports in the beverages group remained stable.

In 2023, 67.4% of exports went to the European Union, an increase of 8.2% compared to 2022.

Non official translation