Spain boosts fresh beef exports by 6.8% but cuts live cattle shipments

Spain increased its exports of fresh and chilled beef by 6.8% year-on-year in January–July 2026 to 115.66 thsd tons. According to preliminary data from the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT), the value of exports rose by 14.9% to €929.6 mln. Export revenue therefore grew faster than shipment volumes, indicating an increase in the average export value of Spanish beef.

Portugal remained the largest buyer of Spanish fresh and chilled beef, importing 33.47 thsd tons during the seven-month period. Italy ranked second with 22.19 thsd tons, followed by Algeria with 16.88 thsd tons. Meanwhile, frozen beef exports declined by 11% to 19.02 thsd tons, highlighting contrasting trends across different segments of Spain’s meat export market.

The situation was considerably more challenging for live cattle exports. In January–July 2026, shipments of cattle weighing more than 300 kg fell from 50.57 thsd to 17.70 thsd head, a decline of approximately 65%. One of the main reasons was the complete suspension of exports to Morocco, which had imported 36.32 thsd head a year earlier. Shipments to Lebanon and Italy were unable to offset the loss of this market.

Tags: Spain, Beef cattle, live cattle