Setting up an export business: Six Spanish food products in demand abroad

Many foreigners move to Spain and set up their own businesses as sometimes it’s easier than trying to break into the local job market or compete against locals in a country with such high unemployment.

Some people choose to set up businesses aimed at other foreigners, others at tourists, while others think of businesses they could set up in conjunction with their home countries.

One idea is to set up an export business – sourcing and exporting Spanish products back to countries where you’re familiar with the market.

READ ALSO: How to set up and import-export business in Spain

Spain is the fourth-largest food exporter in the European Union, with a 10.5 percent share, and much of that success is due to a handful of select products.

Here are six food products that are in demand abroad that you could focus your business on.

Olive oil

Spain is the world’s largest producer of olive oil, and according to the International Olive Council it accounts for 40-50 percent of the global production. Olive oil is used in almost all of Spain’s most traditional dishes and it’s in high demand across the world due its health benefits. Demand is particularly high in countries such as the United States, Japan and Germany. The province of Jaén produces the most with more than 300 olive mills and around 66 million olive trees. While it may be an obvious choice, you can’t really go wrong with this product. The only problem is that you’ll have a lot of competition with other exporters.

Jamón serrano

Jamón is Spain’s star product, with almost every Spaniard claiming that it’s one of their favourite foods. And the hype has caught on in the rest of the world too. Spanish Serrano Ham Consortium a total of a total of 60,845.70 tons of these slices were exported in 2024 alone. France and Germany are the European destinations that consume Spanish ham, but markets in the United States, Mexico, Brazil and Australia are close behind. The markets that have seen the greatest increase in demand for jamón are Austria, by 28.86 percent; Portugal, by 14.58 percent; and Denmark by 11.10 percent. Spanish ham can also be a lucrative product as the average price per kilo of ham increased by 9.92 percent last year, reaching €12.07 compared to 2023, when it was €10.98/kg.

READ ALSO: The ultimate guide to buying a leg of 'jamón' in Spain at Christmas

Cheese

Spanish cheeses may not be as famous as French or Italian ones, but it certainly has its fans around the world. Manchego cheese is of course the top seller, made with sheep's milk and aged for 30 to 120 days and already a favourite across the world. In fact, 2024 saw the highest amount of Manchego cheese exports abroad. But other Spanish cheeses are also popular. Two Spanish cheeses were among the best in the World at the World Cheese Awards last year including Valleclaro and La Cava Barus García-Baquero. Northern Spain is known for some of the best cheese outside of Castilla-La Mancha, particularly Asturias.

Wine

Spanish wine is known throughout the world along with those varieties from France and Italy. Spain comes in third place producing around 3,248,000 litres per year. Spain actually generates more than €2.9 billion from international sales of wine and must. Spanish wine is popular all over the world, but demand is increasing in the United States, Asia and Scandinavian countries. La Rioja is of course the most famous wine region, which also produces the most bottles, but other areas have excellent wines too such as Ribera del Duero, Priorat and Rías Baixas. The Penedès is also known for its Cava production and Cádiz province for its sherries.

Canned seafood

Canned seafood may not be the first item on your list, but Spain actually produces some top quality products, particularly from the north of the country in places like Galicia. Canned tuna, mussels, sardines, and even octopus are all popular. The United States, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom are the main buyers of these products. There is also increasing interest from Asia too, however. According to the Canning Machinery Company Gaictech Spain’s canned fish and seafood sector is currently seeing a rebound after two years marked by inflation and a drop in domestic consumption. Tuna is the top product, making up more than 70 percent of the total value of the canned products. Mussels and anchovies also sell well.

Turrón

Turrón is the famed Spanish sweet treat, which is particularly popular at Christmas time. It’s traditionally made from almonds and honey, but today there are so many different types and flavours. Turrón may not be as popular as some of the other products on the list, but it could still make a business. Spain is actually one of the world's top producers of turrón and marzipan, which are exported worldwide. Jijona continues to dominate the international nougat market with respect to the global quantity exported from Spain with close to 15 percent of its total production. The biggest markets for it are Latin America, the Middle East, Japan and other European countries.