By Gabriela Morgante
The Spanish market represents an excellent gateway for Brazilian natural ingredients, especially in a context of conscious consumption and growing demand for products with health, sustainability, and traceability appeal.
A Promising Outlook
With a population of 47.9 million people and a nominal GDP of US$ 1.7 trillion, Spain is experiencing a period of economic stability, with estimated growth above 2% per year and controlled inflation around 3%. In 2024, trade between Brazil and Spain reached US$ 13.9 billion, with Brazilian exports standing out for their continuous growth — an average annual increase of 19.8% since 2019.
Natural Foods on the Rise
The natural food and ingredients sector is particularly strategic for Brazil. Spain imported more than US$ 13.7 billion in food and live products in 2024, with Brazil accounting for 14.8% of this total. Items such as sugars, tropical fruits, plant extracts, paddy rice, and confectionery stand out as growth drivers. In addition, natural chemicals — such as extracts and botanical actives — generated US$ 7.1 billion in imports, with Brazil holding a 4.3% share.
Consumer Trends and Entry Channels
Spanish consumers are increasingly making conscious choices. Natural, sustainable, and functional products are on the rise. Supplements, functional foods, superfoods, and natural cosmetics are gaining visibility on store shelves and in specialized trade fairs.
Events such as BioCultura, Alimentaria, and Natural Products Expo serve as strategic showcases for Brazilian companies. Distribution is facilitated through specialized importers, gourmet retail chains, pharmacies, and online platforms, with key logistics hubs located in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Seville.
Market Access and Regulation
Although tariffs can range from 5% to 40% for agricultural products, many natural ingredients already enter with zero duty. Regulation is managed by entities such as AEAT (Customs), MAPA (Food), AEMPS (Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals), and CEM (Metrology). The Mercosur–European Union Agreement, currently in its final negotiation phase, promises to further facilitate access through standardized regulations and greater regulatory predictability.
Entry Strategy
The recommendation is to focus on high–value–density ingredients — such as extracts, active compounds, and powders — targeting the supplements, functional foods, and natural cosmetics segments. Certifications such as organic, sustainable, and traceable are key competitive advantages.
Building partnerships with local distributors and participating in international trade fairs, as well as APEX Brasil business matchmaking events, are strategic ways to position Brazilian value-added products in the Spanish market.
Conclusion
Brazil has what the world is looking for: biodiversity, quality, and innovation. Positioning our natural ingredients in Spain means opening new frontiers for a more conscious, competitive, and sustainable international trade.
