Catalonia's wine and cava sector generates a business volume of 3.2 billion euros, and 1,384 companies operate in the viticulture sector, employing nearly 10,500 people.
Catalonia's wine and cava sector generates an annual turnover of 3.267 billion euros, equivalent to 1.2% of GDP, doubling the business volume since the last ecosystem mapping in 2016. This is one of the main findings of the updated study "The Winemaking Value Chain in Catalonia" conducted by the Government through Catalonia Trade & Investment, the agency for business competitiveness under the Ministry of Business and Labour.
The document provides a detailed analysis of the health of all companies and organizations involved in cultivating and caring for vineyards, harvesting, winemaking, fermentation, storage, bottling, and marketing wines and cavas. The mapping indicates that 1,384 companies are active in the sector, a 62% increase since 2016, employing 10,460 workers. It is a well-established business network, with most companies (81.2%) having over 10 years of experience. The document also highlights that 95.7% of the companies in this sector in Catalonia are SMEs.
Regarding business segments, the majority of sector players are dedicated to the production and processing of wine and cava (86.3%). These companies account for 89.5% of the total business volume and employ 92.4% of the workers. In this context, wineries act as the driving force of the ecosystem, encompassing the largest number of companies, business volume, and jobs. Companies offering cross-cutting services across the value chain make up 8.3% of the total, while distributors and marketers represent 5.4%.
“Barcelona is the center of creativity par excellence in Europe. The city is a global hub for gastronomy and new technologies, and the main players in these two worlds pass through Barcelona”
François Chartier, CEO and Co-Founder of Chartier World Lab
1,384 companies
€3,267M in turnover
10,460 employees
The report highlights that nearly half of the companies in the viticulture sector (49.5%) are exporters. According to the data collected in the document, in 2023, Catalonia’s exports amounted to 615 million euros, five times the recorded imports of foreign wines and cavas.
This success is further bolstered by a dedicated platform, Catalan Wines USA, which serves as an official channel for promoting these award-winning wines in the United States. Sponsored by the Government of Catalonia and jointly created by Catalonia Trade & Investment and many catalan wineries, Catalan Wines USA ensures that the best Catalan wines are readily available in the US market.
Over the past decade, Catalonia has accounted for 21.1% of Spain's total wine and cava sales abroad, leading both in the number of companies engaged in international business and in the volume of business generated. By country, Germany, the United States, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Japan are the main destinations for Catalan wines and cavas.
The Catalan and Spanish viticulture sectors are global market leaders. According to data from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), Italy, France, and Spain are the top three wine-producing countries in the world, together accounting for over 50% of total production. In terms of vineyard area, Spain ranks first, followed by France and China.
The document shows that Catalonia is one of the most internationally prestigious regions for viticulture quality, cultivation, production, and distribution. The mapping identifies 12 Designations of Origin, which account for 41.5% of the total wine bottles consumed, according to the Catalan Institute of Vine and Wine (INCAVI).
Additionally, the report highlights that 19 Catalan wines have been awarded the designation of "qualified estate wine" (VFC) by the Government, the highest quality recognition to enhance the knowledge and prestige of the respective winery's value chain.
Moreover, the extensive catalogue of wineries and companies dedicated to the viticulture sector has increasingly positioned wine tourism in the Catalan agenda. In this context, 33% of the mapped companies organize activities related to wine and cava tasting.
The wine ecosystem is undergoing a transition with two clear lines of transformation: on the one hand, a commitment to sustainability and resource optimization for production and cultivation; on the other, the consolidation of technology and digitalization as enhancers of the value chain.
From a sustainable production perspective, the viticulture sector is working to reduce water consumption, increase circular economy processes, and regenerate and reuse soils, ultimately aiming to reduce the environmental footprint throughout the industrial process.
This trend towards sustainability is driving a phase of innovation in the sector, aiming to offer healthier products, expand the range of organic wines, diversify flavors, and provide premium wines.
Finally, artificial intelligence, robotics, big data, and other new technologies are increasingly influential in the viticulture value chain, contributing to greater control throughout the cultivation, production, and winemaking processes. These technologies also enhance commercialization, offering optimal traceability to consumers, thereby improving prestige and market share.
Access our report on the wine sector in Catalonia and see the latest trends in the industry.
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