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Exports from the Spanish confectionery sector registered a growth of 9,75% in 2025, reaching 2.658 billion euros. According to the latest “Foreign Trade Report 2025” from the Spanish Association of Sweets (Produlce)This milestone occurs in an environment of inflationary pressures, with Europa reinforcing its position as the main destination and cocoa surpassing candy for the first time as the main exported category.
In terms of volume, exports increased by 2,22%, reaching 671 tons. These figures, analyzed against a backdrop of rising global raw material prices and geopolitical tensions, underscore the resilience and growing competitiveness of Spanish industry on the global stage.
A key indicator of this competitive strength is the price differential. While the average price of Spanish confectionery exports increased by 7,36% in 2025, the price of imports skyrocketed by 17%. This gap demonstrates the greater capacity of the domestic industry to absorb costs and optimize its value proposition in international markets.
“The sector maintains a structurally solid position and demonstrates a great capacity for adaptation in a complex scenario for the entire international food industry,” he noted. Rubén Moreno, general secretary of Produlce“The data reflects that Spanish companies are responding with competitiveness, diversification and added value"Although there are also relevant differences between categories," he added.
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Main Export Indicators of the Spanish Confectionery Sector (2025)
Indicator Figure 2025 Variation vs. 2024 Total Export Value €2.658 million +9,75% Total Export Volume 671 thousand tons +2,22% Average Export Price -+7,36% Cocoa and Chocolate Exports €858 million +35,7% nn
Cocoa and chocolate lead the growth by category
Sector analysis reveals a significant leadership shift. By 2025, the category of cocoa and chocolate For the first time, Spain became the sector's leading exporter, with sales reaching €858 million, representing a spectacular year-on-year increase of 35,7%. This progress was achieved despite extreme volatility in international cocoa prices, demonstrating the Spanish industry's ability to gain market share in high value-added segments.
- Candy and chewing gum: It drops to second place with 723 million euros, affected by the contraction of key markets such as Estados Unidos y Francia.
- Biscuits: It maintains a solid evolution, reaching 703 million euros with balanced growth in both value and volume.
- Other categories: The performance of pastry and cakes (€215 million), breadmaking (€86,8 million) and nougat and marzipan (€72,8 million) stands out, the latter with a notable geographical diversification.
Market analysis: Europe consolidates while the US declines
The geography of Spanish sweet exports reinforces the commitment to nearby markets. Europa It now accounts for 75% of total sales, 2,5 percentage points more than in 2023. By region, Estados Unidos represents 11,6% of the total, África 6,1%, Asia 6,7% and Oceanía the 0,5%.
Within the European continent, Francia y Portugal They are consolidating their position as the main trading partners, with cumulative growth in value exceeding 27% since 2023. Reino Unido regains third position, while Alemania It also shows a positive evolution.
On the opposite side, Estados Unidos It confirms its downward trend, with a cumulative drop of 20,4% in value since 2023. Factors such as inflationary pressures and the administration's trade policy Trump And the volatility of the dollar-euro exchange rate explains this decline. In contrast, Marruecos It is consolidating itself as a top-tier strategic market, exceeding 100 million euros in exports for the first time and registering an accumulated growth of 34,6% in value since 2023.
Despite imports growing by 18,4% in value, The sector's trade balance remains positive at 833 million euros, reaffirming the sweet as one of the driving forces of the Spanish food industry abroad.
Key points and frequently asked questions about exporting Spanish sweets
What does this growth mean for Spanish exporting companies?
For Spanish companies, this growth validates their internationalization strategy based on competitiveness and added value. It demonstrates a remarkable ability to navigate complex environments, manage rising raw material costs, and diversify markets. The challenge now is to consolidate the positions gained, especially in the cocoa and chocolate category, and to continue exploring emerging markets with high potential.
Why is the US market declining and what alternatives exist?
The setback in Estados Unidos This is due to a combination of macroeconomic factors, such as domestic inflation, the strength of the dollar against the euro which makes European products more expensive, and a more protectionist trade environment. Alternatives include strengthening the presence in high-growth European markets (Francia, Portugal, Reino Unido) and deepen strategic diversification in regions such as the North of África, with Marruecos as a spearhead, and Asia.
What is the main industry trend that managers should be monitoring?
The most significant trend is the rise of cocoa and chocolate as the leading export category, despite the price crisis for this raw material. This indicates that international markets are demanding higher value-added and higher-quality products. Managers must focus on innovation, sustainability (ESG), and adapting to new global consumer preferences to maintain this competitive advantage.
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