Spain’s Canned Goods Industry Experiences Incredible Growth

The combination of innovation and internationalization, plus the effects of the pandemic, have helped the Spanish canned food sector grow exponentially

One sector that has been absolutely thriving during the global pandemic is the Spanish canned goods industry. In fact, it's clear now that the sector’s dedication to both innovation and internationalization over the years has fully supported its skyrocketing exports.

Plenty of Spanish companies are seeing their hard work pay off. One excellent example is Grupo Pereira, which produced a limited edition selection of 5,000 cans of scallops in sauce, complete with unique artwork to celebrate a very special occasion: the holy year of St. James. These carefully designed tins combine gastronomy, culture, history, and art and they're more than food, they're a souvenir, a keepsake, the perfect gift.

The pandemic certainly played a big role in driving growth in this industry, with sales of canned goods increasing by 21% during the first State of Alarm and exceeding 211 million euros during the first month of the pandemic, according to Faro de Vigo and data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It helps that canned products are, in general, healthy, easy to eat, practical and extremely versatile. Even during this notable growth, the sector was able to rise to the occasion and meet demand.

Beyond domestic demand, Spain is also a leading supplier of canned goods around the world. Tuna is by far the most popular export, followed by mussels, cockles, and clams, and all of them have experienced recent growth. In fact, since the crisis began, exports of these products have exceeded 1 billion years for the first time. The main markets are Italy, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany and the US.