Planas highlights Spain's agri-food potential and its export capacity at a key moment for the sector at world level

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, Luis Planas, during his speech at the opening of the 38th edition of the Salón Gourmets

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, highlighted Spain's agri-food potential and its export capacity: "High quality and prestigious foodstuffs with a high degree of excellence are key to promotion, and this is even more relevant in the current geopolitical context," said the minister.

Planas recalled that agri-food exports account for 20% of the total value exported at national level, with more than €75.4 billion between February 2024 and January 2025. These are record figures, which the minister stressed are only possible thanks to the work and dedication of farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen, and the agri-food industry as a whole.

For this reason, according to Planas, the EU and Spain will defend the producers affected by the US tariffs with instruments that will try to preserve the great export potential and the fundamental role that Spain plays in the EU's strategic food autonomy. "We will defend our interests rigorously and firmly," he said.

The minister also highlighted the Government's commitment to maintaining and diversifying markets, highlighting the excellent opportunity represented by the recent agreement with Mersosur, which is pending ratification. "We are confident that we will continue to move forward and expand the market to bring our excellent food to all corners of the world," he stressed.

The minister inaugurated the Salón Gourmets, the International Fair of Quality Food and Beverages, which is being held until 10 April at the IFEMA exhibition centre in Madrid. According to Planas, this fair, dedicated to high-end products, is a great opportunity for the promotion and international marketing of local products, and allows companies to network and strengthen their economy.

Luis Planas recalled that Spain's agri-food products have 407 figures of differentiated quality, 387 of them registered in the EU, which represent an economic value of more than €7.7 billion and generate employment for more than 334,000 farmers and stockbreeders in 8,300 industries throughout the country.

The minister also highlighted the key role of the quality figures for the development of rural areas. The marketing of products that owe their specificity to the geographical environment in which they are produced can be very beneficial for rural areas, especially in less favoured areas. Among other things, it improves the income of farmers and helps to fix the population, which favours the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the territories.

At this event, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is promoting the diversity and quality of Spanish Food under the strategy "the richest country in the world" with a stand measuring over 1,000 m2 that has three themed areas: the Wine Tunnel, the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tunnel and the Gastronomic Space. To give greater prominence to the fishing sector this year, fried fish will also be served in cones with the slogan of the ministry's current campaign "Fill your table with the sea".

Non official translation