Introduction of a 30% tariff for products of the European Union (EU), which are included in the United States This is a new blow to agro -voltage companies Spanish, who was looking for alternatives for several months, but resists to lose the market as American.
The loading of tariffs announced this Saturday the President of the United States Donald Trump for the EU and Mexico, This is an escalation in a commercial war and a commercial crisis Information for Agri -plood, for the importance of the United States both in billing and what it means both the high -profitable market.
The United States is the first destination of Spanish food and drinks outside Europe, with sales of more than 3.5 billion euros in 2024; In addition, olive oil is the most exported Spanish good, worth 1013 million.
As for 10%growth in tariffs for the United States operating since April, This has already influenced the American demand for Spanish products, although unevenly, according to employers and cooperatives consulted by EFE.
For example, so far it has not influenced the export of olive oil, it reduced Spanish wine supplies and had a heterogeneous effect on the fishing canned industry, depending on the manufacturer.
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“Of the 76,356 million exported by the agrot production sector in 2024 4.7% were the United States; If the Trump government increases tariffs, it is obvious that the demand for our products will be outraged, ”Hoaakin Maudos, deputy director of the Valencian Institute for Economic Research (IVIE).
Regardless of tariffs, Maudos guarantees that problems arise in the sector to get a share in other markets, such as Asians: one of them is competitiveness, but “thanks to increased performance, and not due to lower cost of labor”, and the other for investment in digitalization and in R&D.
Fear of the Olivkova sector
According to the president of the agricultural section of cooperative oil, Rafael Sanchez de Puert, The olive oil sector has a “panic”, which the United States is distinguished by tariffs between Countries, because it will “destroy” Spanish operators.
Until now, all oil suppliers have been punished equally (+10%), as in the EU (Italy, Portugal) and Morocco, Turki and Tunisia.
With an additional 10%tariff, the export of olive oil did not fall, because the drop in the price of this product was noted more than an increase in tax, with what is what that US consumer did not notice the costAccording to Sanchez de Puert, General Director of DCOOP COOPERATY.
As for the new markets, the representative of the oil sector and the general director of the Spanish Federation of Wine (FEV), Jose Luis Benites, believed that they should be sought to look “In addition to the USA” and not replace it, because it is an important market for high added value.
Oil mills and winery have hopes for ratification of the agreement between the EU and Merkosur (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay).
Less wine sales
According to the report of the AFI consultant, the United States bought 20.8%less Spanish wine in April after the tariffs of the month presented by the inter -professional organization Oive Wine.
Benitest (FEV) Remember that before the tariffs were announced in April, American importers distributed an internal cycle To stop the purchase of European wine, but it is compensated, because in the period from December to March, such purchases are loaded.
He describes the “highest uncertainty” situation that has joined the fact that the UK, first place, has applied a very important increase in taxes, especially to quiet wines.
Of the 2.4 billion obtained as a result of the export of Spanish packed wines (without volume) only 400 million for us, but some companies have 20%or 30%for this destination.
Alternatives
In addition to Merkosur, The EU seeks to open the market in countries such as India, is of particular interest to wineries.
The European Commission hopes that at the end of the year the agreement with this country will be concluded in Indonesia and that there is progress in negotiations with Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Thailand, although in the latter case there is a rejection of the fishing industry for its unfair competition.