Por Redaccion - The food sector of the Community records a record in exports in 2024 for an amount of 3.485 billion euros, 3.14% more than in 2023 and 42.3% more than at the end of 2020.
- The products that saw the highest increases in the last year were coffee extracts (13.5%), bakery and biscuit products (9.8%), wine (2.3%), and cheese (0.5%).
- Additionally, Castilla y León has led the increase in exports in Spain, with a growth of 14.7% in 2024 compared to the previous year and a positive trade balance of over 5 billion euros.
March 1, 2025
Castilla y León | Department of Economy and Finance
The Department of Economy and Finance, through the Institute for Business Competitiveness of Castilla y León (ICECYL), is promoting 144 references of food products from 29 companies in the Community in Portugal, specifically at El Corte Inglés in Lisbon and Vila Nova de Gaia (Oporto) until March 13. Of these companies, 17 are new additions, as are half of the products being sold (72) that are being added to the 72 references already present in their supermarkets.
The director of ICECyL, Augusto Cobos Pérez, visited the sales point in Lisbon to support the expansion of Castilian and Leonese products in Portugal, in a sector, the food sector, that represents 16% of exports in the Community, only behind the automotive sector and ahead of the chemical-pharmaceutical sector.
Some of the specific products included in the campaign are wines from Castilla y León, including varieties from the Rueda, Ribera del Duero, Cigales, Bierzo, and Toro designations of origin. Cheeses and cold cuts will also be promoted, including various varieties of sheep, goat, and mixed milk cheeses, as well as specialty boards and products such as truffle or paprika cheese. Portuguese consumers will also have a wide variety of Iberian cold cuts to choose from, such as chorizo, salchichón, loin, and ham, both in whole pieces and sliced, as well as snacks and appetizers, among other products.
Export Growth
In 2024, food products from Castilla y León were exported for a value of 3.485 billion euros, a record export figure, 3.14% more than in 2023 and 42% more than at the end of 2020. The products that saw the highest increases in the last year were coffee extracts, with 13.5%; bakery and biscuit products, 9.8%; wine, 2.3%; and cheese, 0.5%.
The European Union remains the main recipient of products from the Community, accounting for 67% of the total regional exports, with France and Portugal as the main recipients. In the case of the United States, the food sector also increased its exports by 55.4% in the last five years, with cooked octopus, cookies, pork, wine, and ham as the star products.
Furthermore, Castilla y León has led the increase in exports in Spain, with a growth of 14.7% in 2024 compared to the previous year and a positive trade balance of over 5 billion euros.
(*) Annex with the participating companies is attached.