Food & Beverage in Catalonia

The food industry is Catalonia’s No.1 sector, with a turnover of over €58 billion (18% of GDP) and a workforce of over 177,000.

Find your supplier in Food & Beverage

Food & beverage,
the principal economy sector
in Catalonia.

Catalonia is home to companies from the entire food value chain, from agri-food producers and providers, raw materials and additives, industrial and artisan processors, to the packaging industry and distribution. The Catalonia Industry Suppliers allows you to get in touch with the best partners in the agriculture, food and gourmet products, and wine and beverages categories.

Catalonia – no better place to locate your food and drink business

Most leading food companies in the world, such as Nestlé, Unilever, Kellogg’s, Haribo, and Griffith Foods, have set up productive centers, R&D departments and laboratories, and logistics activities in Catalonia. It is also chosen as the preferred spot for locating headquarters in Southern Europe or the Iberian Peninsula, thanks to its strategic location, giving companies access to major markets in the Mediterranean and North Africa.

Catalan food industries are well-positioned internationally due to their high productivity and competitiveness, as well as a significantly developed network of food processing providers. Within Catalonia, specific areas specialize in different sectors, in fields such as meat, fruits, nuts, and citrus fruits. Moreover, a strong wine and cava industry bears testimony to Catalonia’s long winemaking tradition.

An unparalleled gastronomic offer

Catalonia is world-famous for its unique gastronomy, featuring renowned products such as wine, cava, and olive oil. Based on the Mediterranean diet, Catalan cuisine is internationally acclaimed, thanks to its creativity and network of first-class restaurants and food labs that have a clear impact on defining the future of gastronomy. In recognition of its culinary excellence, Catalonia was awarded the World Gastronomic Region in 2025.

Several Catalan-famous chefs that have been awarded Michelin stars are Ferran Adrià, Carme Ruscalleda, and the Roca brothers. It is also noteworthy that recently the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) has decided to set up its location in Europe in Barcelona, in the Torribera Mediterranean Center.

Testimonials from
Food & Beverage companies in Catalonia.

  • Elian Barcelona

    Andreu Martín

    CEO

    "Catalonia allows us to attract global talent and also tap into a local workforce already trained in food innovation and creativity"

  • Danone Iberia

    Francesc Casajuana

    General Secretary & Counsel

    "Barcelona is the perfect ecosystem for Danone because it connects the dots between talent, innovation and technology"

  • Kellogg’s (Mars Snacking)

    Jaume Valls

    Plant director

    "The long industrial history in Catalonia makes operations efficient and sustainable for long-term investments"

  • Paulig

    Alberto Barsanti

    Managing Director Spain

    "Barcelona and Catalonia offer the perfect combination of local and international talent, along with a highly strategic location for accessing Southern European markets"

  • €57,981M in turnover

  • 177,383 employees

  • 18.3% GDP

A European hub for alternative protein

Catalonia is home to a growing alternative protein ecosystem, with more than 105 companies generating over €436 million in turnover and employing some 1,000 people. Companies such as Heura Foods, Flax & Kale, Zyrcular Foods, and Nova Meat are benchmarks in the European food sector, developing innovative, sustainable, and healthy solutions based on alternative proteins.

With a gastronomy world-famous, Catalonia is positioning itself as a leading location for new businesses in alternative protein. International players such as Cargill and Bunge have also set up operations in Barcelona-Catalonia.

Breaking ground in the food sector

Barcelona and Catalonia offer top research centers that specialize in innovation in food and drink. Healthy food and drinks, food to go, gourmet gastronomy, or “free-from” products are among the main trends today. In parallel, food companies are increasingly pursuing differentiation strategies, including through related sectors such as packaging and leisure.

Catalonia also attracts a significant number of visitors to major international food and drink events such as Alimentaria, FoodTech, and the leading packaging trade fair Hispack.

Catalonia is also home to 158 agri-food startups, a figure that has increased by 32% over the past five years (2021–2025), proof of the dynamic and forward-thinking nature of the sector.

 

Main players and events
in Food & Beverage in Catalonia.

Check below which are the main institutions and events that make Barcelona-Catalonia’s food sector grow.

Related success stories
in Barcelona (Catalonia).