Spain’s biscuit industry targets exports, premium products and new capacity
Exports generate almost 37% of Spanish biscuit-sector sales and absorb nearly 50% of production, according to Alimarket. Producers are investing in capacity, efficiency and premium products as domestic growth remains contained.
Exports become a central growth channel
Spain’s biscuit industry is directing more production toward foreign markets as growth in domestic demand remains contained. Exports now represent almost 37% of sector sales and absorb nearly 50% of production, according to Alimarket’s 2026 industry report. The gap between the sales and production shares indicates that international markets are a major outlet for Spanish factories, while the value obtained per unit may differ between exported and domestically sold products.
Companies are seeking to consolidate existing international projects and enter additional markets. Alimarket describes the industry as highly competitive abroad, making exports an increasingly important part of manufacturers’ expansion strategies. For producers, this raises the importance of plant productivity, product adaptation and the ability to serve different retail and consumer segments outside Spain.
Premium and specialist products gain ground
Domestic biscuit consumption is changing even though overall market growth is moderate. According to Alimarket, value-added products are gaining ground over more basic offerings. Manufacturers are concentrating innovation around indulgence, health and premium positioning, reflecting demand for products that provide more than basic nutrition.
The industry is also developing products for consumers with food intolerances and for different consumption occasions. This broadens competition beyond price and volume into formulation, taste, convenience and perceived quality. Producers must balance healthier propositions with the pleasure associated with biscuits, while maintaining ranges that remain accessible to a broad consumer base.
Investment focuses on capacity and costs
Higher costs for key inputs, including flour and oil, have tested the sector’s resilience in recent years. Companies have responded with multimillion-euro industrial investments intended to increase production capacity, reduce costs and improve competitiveness. Modernisation is therefore serving two purposes: supporting export growth and protecting margins in a market exposed to raw-material inflation and changing consumer preferences.
Alimarket’s review covers the performance of the business and its companies during 2025 and 2026, including production, consumption, foreign trade, category shares, product launches and investment plans. It identifies Galletas Gullón, Grupo Adam Foods, Mondelez International, Cerealto, Arluy, La Flor Burgalesa and Family Biscuits among the sector’s leading operators.
Competition widens in the Spanish market
The entry of new operators and Spain’s appeal to international companies are adding another competitive dimension. Established manufacturers face pressure to defend domestic category positions while financing capacity and product development for foreign markets. Companies with efficient factories and differentiated ranges are better placed to manage both priorities.
The industry’s next phase will depend on whether investment can translate into lower unit costs, stronger premium sales and sustained international demand. With almost half of output already going abroad, changes in export orders can materially affect factory utilisation. At home, the movement toward value-added biscuits will determine whether moderate volume growth can still support higher revenue and investment returns.