Catalonia leads the sausage sector in Spain with a turnover of 2.85 billion euros
This is reflected in the latest mapping prepared by Prodeca, a public company attached to the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Generalitat, which analyzes the situation of the Catalan industry of cooked and cured sausages.
The report highlights Catalonia's importance within Spain, as it accounts for 43.8% of sausage sales volume and 57.7% of exports . These figures reinforce the region's role as one of the main production and marketing hubs for the sector, both nationally and internationally.
Catalan exports of sausages and processed meat products reached €629.47 million in 2023, representing 22% of the sector's total revenue and a 6.3% increase compared to the previous year. Furthermore, they have maintained a trajectory of sustained growth over the last decade.
The study identifies significant expansion opportunities in international markets, where global consumption of these products is projected to increase by 10.5% in value between 2025 and 2028. Countries such as Nigeria, Brazil, India, and Colombia stand out particularly for their growth potential.
Prodeca also notes the growing interest in specific segments such as halal and kosher products. In the case of the halal food and beverage market in Europe, forecasts indicate that it will exceed €20 billion by 2029.
Distribution accounts for the majority of sales
Large retailers remain the primary sales channel for processed meat products in Spain, with an 86% market share. Furthermore, private label brands account for over 64% of sales in supermarkets and hypermarkets.
Of the total number of Catalan companies analyzed, 67% produce both cooked and cured sausages, while 21% specialize in cured sausages and 12% in cooked sausages.
Six of the top ten manufacturers are based in Catalonia
The report highlights the sector's high concentration of businesses. Six of Spain's ten largest sausage manufacturers are headquartered in Catalonia: Casa Tarradellas, Noel Alimentaria, Grupo Argal, Costa Brava Mediterranean Foods, Costa Food, and Corporación Alimentaria Guissona.
In fact, the top ten Catalan companies in the sector account for more than 71% of the estimated revenue. According to Prodeca, this process responds to the need to gain business size, achieve economies of scale, increase production capacity, and diversify the product range.
At the same time, medium-sized companies are gaining ground thanks to specialization, brand recognition, and the expansion of their product ranges.
New consumption habits and demand for healthier products
The study also detects significant changes in consumption patterns. 51% of Europeans report having reduced their intake of meat products, five percentage points higher than in 2021, while nearly half say they have adopted diets with less meat in recent years.
This evolution particularly affects younger consumers and families, and shifts the consumption of cured meats towards more specific occasions related to leisure, snacks or sharing formats.
In this context, the demand for products perceived as healthier, as well as formats adapted to convenience, such as sliced products, snacks, single-dose or multi-dose packaging, and solutions with greater sustainability criteria, is gaining relevance.
Automation drives the transformation of the sector
Rising labor costs and difficulties in attracting and retaining talent are accelerating investment in technology within the industry. According to Prodeca, companies are betting on automation to optimize production, logistics, and administrative processes.
The report concludes that the main challenges for the future involve strengthening knowledge of international markets, adapting products and distribution channels, expanding the commercial range, moving towards more circular models and innovating in proposals aligned with new consumer demands.
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