Raúl Sanz, President of PROVACUNO, accepted the 2026 “Alimentos de España” (Food from Spain) Award for Food Internationalization yesterday at Madrid’s Teatro Real. The award, granted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, recognizes the interprofessional organization’s efforts to internationalize Spanish beef, including the opening and consolidation of new international markets.
Since its inception, PROVACUNO has actively collaborated with Spanish public authorities and sector companies to open markets such as Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, the Philippines, Qatar, Canada, Egypt, Kuwait, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Thailand, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. Exports grew from 196,000 tonnes (valued at €693 million) in 2017 to over 230,000 tonnes (valued at €1.75 billion) in 2025.
While European Union countries—such as Portugal, Italy, and France—remain the primary destinations for Spanish exports, non-EU countries are becoming increasingly important as promising, consolidating markets; notable examples include Algeria for beef and the Ivory Coast for offal products.
This award highlights the work carried out by the interprofessional organization not only in opening numerous markets but also in training, preparing, and advising Spanish export managers, showcasing products in non-EU countries, and consolidating its presence in Europe and newly opened markets. Recognition of Effort
For PROVACUNO President Raúl Sanz, this award represents recognition of the collective effort made by the entire sector: “Receiving the ‘Alimentos de España’ (Food from Spain) Award for Food Internationalization is a source of pride for PROVACUNO and, above all, recognition of the work carried out over the years through the joint efforts of sector companies, the interprofessional organization, and public authorities.
Spain produces exceptionally high-quality beef, and we have a sector ready to compete in international markets. Our goal is to continue opening doors, consolidating the markets where we already have a presence, and supporting Spanish companies in their international growth.”
“We are very pleased to have contributed to the successful internationalization of Spain’s beef sector, and we are delighted to have met the expectations of a sector that is growing in overseas markets,” adds José Ramón Godoy, Director of the International Department at PROVACUNO.
A Track Record of Opening Markets
A significant portion of this activity is carried out through European promotion programs co-financed by the European Union. These include *What a Wonderful Beef* (conducted between 2018 and 2024 in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Japan); *EU Beef Asia* (2022–2025 in China and South Korea); and *It’s Time for European Beef* (currently underway, running from 2024 to 2027 in Japan, Singapore, and the Philippines).
Complementing these programs is collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food—through activities outlined in the framework agreement signed with meat interprofessional organizations to promote these products abroad—as well as joint work with ICEX Spain Trade and Investment to boost the presence of Spanish beef in non-EU countries. PROVACUNO is currently working with relevant stakeholders to advance the opening of the South Korean market, while also analyzing new opportunities for the export of beef and other meat products to destinations such as Mexico.
