Sector Report
The Spanish fruit and vegetable sector faces 2026 with a strong export leadership position, but it faces structural challenges such as declining domestic consumption, rising costs, and an urgent need for innovation. A report by Solunion emphasizes that digitalization and climate resilience will be key to maintaining competitiveness.
The Spanish fruit and vegetable sector faces 2026 with a strong export leadership but threatened by falling domestic consumption, rising costs, and labor shortages. According to a Solunion reportInnovation, digitalization, and climate resilience will be key to its future competitiveness.
As the first producer of the Unión EuropeaThe Spanish fruit and vegetable sector maintains its strength in the international markets with exports reaching €18.667 billion in 2025. However, this external dynamism contrasts with a structural weakness in the domestic market, where consumption has fallen by 18% in the last decade. The analysis, prepared by SolunionIt identifies adaptation to new consumption habits and investment in technology as critical factors for growth.
“In this context, innovation becomes a strategic factor for sustaining the sector's growth. process digitization“The use of artificial intelligence, the incorporation of drones and robotics, and precision agriculture technologies will improve operational efficiency, optimize costs, and increase traceability throughout the entire value chain,” he says. Manuel FurióCredit Analyst of Solunion España.
Structural challenges: costs, climate and labor
The contraction in domestic demand is compounded by external pressures that directly impact the profitability of companies. increased cost of energy, fertilizers and shipping It continues to strain margins. At the same time, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events resulting from climate change demands urgent investments in resilience, water efficiency, and varietal improvement to guarantee long-term productivity.
Another key factor is the shortage of labor. According to the report of SolunionThe aging of the rural population and migration to urban areas complicate the coverage of agricultural campaigns. The sector will have to face this challenge through a combination of improved working conditions, technological advancements, and new work organization models.
Analysis of the trade balance and productivity
The data Federación Española de Asociaciones de Productores Exportadores de Frutas, Hortalizas, Flores y Plantas vivas (FEPEXThese figures confirm the fundamental role of the foreign market. In 2025, the value of exports grew by 3,8%, consolidating a trade surplus of 13.189 million euros, 2,1% more than the previous year.
| Indicator | Value (Millions of €) | Variation vs. 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Value of Exports | 18.667 | + 3,8 % |
| Trade Surplus | 13.189 | + 2,1 % |
Europe remains the main destination, absorbing 82% of sales, with Alemania (30%), Francia (16%) and Países Bajos (8%) leading the way. Non-EU markets now account for 18%, with the following standing out: Reino Unido (6,7%), Estados Unidos (4,2%) and China (2,3%).
“The high weight of exports, the sustained growth in the value of exports and the progressive improvement of the trade surplus highlight the strategic relevance of the foreign market for companies in the sector,” he states. Manuel Furió.
The paradox of consumption: less volume, higher price
The domestic market shows a divergent evolution. While the volume of fruits and vegetables consumed has fallen by 18% in ten years, prices have skyrocketed: 76% in fruits and 67% in vegetablesInflation has been the sole driver of growth in the value of consumption, which has increased by 31% in fruit and 29% in vegetables in monetary terms.
Changes in lifestyle habits are a decisive factor. Generación Z (born between 1994 and 2010), representing 16% of the population, prioritizes convenience. Their consumption is shifting towards minimally processed and ready-to-eat products such as cut fruit, smoothies or prepared salads.
Evolution of financial risk and insolvencies
In 2025, the fruit and vegetable subsector recorded 252 insolvency proceedings, 1,6% more than in 2024 and the highest figure in the last three years. This trend contrasts with the overall improvement in the Spanish economy, where insolvencies fell by 5,9%.
However, data from the first quarter of 2026 points to an improvement, with an 18% reduction in bankruptcies compared to the same period in 2025. Despite this, Solunion It warns of a red flag: the companies that have filed for bankruptcy in 2026 are larger, which implies a greater risk of being swept away for the entire value chain.
“This context reinforces the importance of having adequate credit insurance solutions, especially for companies undergoing rapid growth, where increased revenue is not always accompanied by a sufficiently robust financial structure,” it concludes. Furió.
At the regional level, the report highlights the relative deterioration of the default rate in the Comunidad Valenciana From September 2025, a key region with a high pulling effect on the sector.
Key points and frequently asked questions about the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector
How does the drop in domestic consumption in Spain affect my company?
The structural decline in consumption volume is forcing companies to reorient their strategy. The two main paths are the diversification into export markets with growing demand and the commitment to the product innovation for the domestic market. This includes the development of higher value-added and more convenient formats (IV and V range), such as ready-to-eat salads or cut fruit, aimed at new consumer segments such as Generación Z.
What are the main drivers of competitiveness for a Spanish fruit and vegetable exporter?
To compete in the global market, the key levers are the technology and efficiencyInvestment in digitalization (precision agriculture, AI, robotics) is essential to optimize costs and improve traceability. Climate resilience, through efficient water management and the selection of adapted varieties, is crucial to ensuring production. Finally, proactive risk management in the supply chain, by diversifying suppliers and markets, increases business strength.
Which regions or subsectors present the greatest financial risk according to the report?
The report of Solunion identifies specific risk areas. Geographically, the Comunidad Valenciana has shown a significant deterioration in its default rate since the end of 2025, making it a region to watch closely. By company size, the greatest current risk comes from the companies with higher revenue that enter into bankruptcy proceedings, since their impact on suppliers and customers is much more severe than that of SMEs, generating a greater sectoral "pull-on effect".
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