Spain's food, beverage, and tobacco sector demonstrated robust export growth in the initial months of 2025, reaching €6,787.6 million in May 2025, a 2.6% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. This positive trend contributed to an accumulated export growth of 4.9% from January to May, totaling €32,849.5 million for the sector.
This expansion in exports was accompanied by a significant rise in imports. In May 2025, imports of food, beverages, and tobacco were valued at €5,064 million, an 8.4% increase over May 2024. The cumulative figures from January to May showed an 8% growth in imports, reaching €24,108 million. Consequently, the trade surplus for the sector in May 2025 was €1,723.7 million, a slight decrease from the €1,947.8 million surplus recorded in May 2024. The overall trade surplus for the January-May period stood at €8,741.5 million.
In the first quarter of 2025, Spanish food, beverage, and tobacco exports saw a notable 7% increase, amounting to €19,452 million. Key sectors driving this growth included sugar, coffee, and cocoa, which experienced a substantial 41.4% increase, and tobacco, with a significant 22.9% rise. The surge in tobacco exports is particularly evident in raw tobacco, which saw a 44.4% year-on-year increase in May 2025, reaching €31.1 million, with Portugal and Belgium being key destinations.
Regionally, Castellón emerged as the sole province in the Valencian Community to record an export increase in May 2025, with a growth of 1.8% and a volume of €912.2 million, largely propelled by its food, beverage, and tobacco sector. This regional resilience underscores the sector's importance to the Spanish economy.
Looking at broader economic indicators, Spain's overall exports of goods reached €384.465 billion in 2024, marking its second-best year on record. The food, beverages, and tobacco sector contributed significantly to a record surplus of over €18 billion in 2024. Despite a widening trade deficit in early 2025 for goods overall, the food and beverage sector's performance highlights its enduring strength and adaptability in a complex global marketplace.