Active yeasts market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Spanish active yeasts market remained stable in physical terms, with volumes hovering around 84 thousand tonnes. In 2018, Lesaffre Ibérica invested in new evaporation and crystallization facilities, enhancing production flexibility and sustainability while opening new business lines in animal nutrition and fertilizers, strengthening the domestic supply base. Market value, however, grew to $81.8 million in 2020, suggesting a shift toward higher-value yeast products.

By 2022, growing consumer interest in healthy nutrition began shaping demand, with a surge in plant-based products like non-fat plant yogurts—whose share rose from 2% to 35.5% of volume between 2022 and 2024—driving yeast usage in this expanding segment. This trend aligned with broader shifts toward vegetarian and vegan diets, which increased demand for nutritional yeast.

In 2023 and 2024, the market was further stimulated by the expansion of Spain's food and beverage industry, whose output reached €162 459 million, alongside advances in fermentation technology and a sustained home‑baking trend. Lesaffre's acquisition of the Swiss biotechnology company Evolva strengthened its market position, while rising tourism and consumer preference for organic yeast extracts broadened application segments, particularly in artisanal breads, frozen dough, and products with enhanced vitamin bioavailability.

Production active yeasts in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Spain, the output value of active yeasts reached 61 182 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing an 11.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 54 862 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 61 858 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 11.3%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Active yeasts production in Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain produced 72 037 tonnes of active yeasts, showing a modest decline of 3.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 78 007 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 4.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports active yeasts from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain exported 14 278 tonnes of active yeasts in 2020, which is 23.5% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 9.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 560 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Portugal, Senegal, and France—together accounted for 86.0% of Spain's total exports of active yeasts in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Spain's foreign supplies of active yeasts totaled 16 038 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp uptick of 39.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 16.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 460 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 24.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal (48.8% of exports in value terms), Senegal (9.4%), and Chile (7.9%) together accounted for 66.0% of Spain's total exports of active yeasts in value terms, remaining the main destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports active yeasts to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's active yeasts import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 25 676 tonnes, constituting an improvement of 18.3% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 68.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Portugal, Italy, and France—remained central to Spain's imports in volume terms, together accounting for 88.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Spain's volume of active yeasts imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 36 665 thousand US dollars, marking a robust rise of 11.8% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 45.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—France, Portugal, and Belgium—together accounted for 58.2% of Spain's total imports of active yeasts in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020