Catalonia has strengthened its position as Spain’s leading production and export hub for cured and cooked meat products. According to the latest report published by Prodeca, the sector is made up of more than 180 companies, generating an annual turnover of €2.856 billion and employing 15,524 people.
The study highlights Catalonia’s strategic importance within the Spanish meat industry. The region accounts for 43.8% of national sales of cured and cooked meat products and 57.7% of total exports, confirming its role as a key production and export platform.
Internationalisation remains one of the sector’s main growth drivers. In 2025, Catalan exports of cured meats and processed meat products reached €629.47 million, representing a 6.3% increase compared to the previous year. Exports currently account for 22% of the sector’s turnover.
The report also identifies significant growth opportunities in emerging markets across Asia, Africa and Latin America. Between 2025 and 2028, global consumption of cured meats and processed meat products is expected to grow by 10.5% in value, with particularly strong growth projected in countries such as Nigeria, Brazil, India, Colombia, Peru and Japan.
Catalonia also demonstrates strong business leadership, with six of Spain’s ten largest cured meat manufacturers headquartered in the region.
Among the key challenges identified for the coming years are changing consumer habits, increasing demand for healthier and more sustainable products, the need for automation and technological investment, and the attraction and retention of skilled labour.
Innovation, sustainability, international expansion and automation are expected to be the main drivers shaping the future of the cured and processed meat industry.
