Spain Expands Access to China with Agreements to Export Pistachios and Dried Figs

Why It Matters

The new market access diversifies Spain’s agri‑food export base and creates a higher‑value revenue stream for growers, while strengthening the EU’s foothold in China’s fast‑growing demand for premium fruit products.

Key Takeaways

• Spain signs six agreements, adding pistachios and figs to China exports
• Protocol follows 2023 almond deal, expanding Mediterranean fruit portfolio
• Chinese inspections cleared Spanish phytosanitary standards for new products
• New market access diversifies Spain's agri‑food revenue streams
• Export growth supports EU farmers amid global supply chain shifts

Pulse Analysis

The Sino‑Spanish agricultural partnership has entered a new phase as Madrid secures entry for pistachios and dried figs into China’s massive consumer market. China already ranks among the top destinations for Spanish citrus, grapes and nuts, accounting for roughly €2 billion (≈ $2.2 billion) in annual fruit sales. By widening the product basket, Spain not only leverages existing logistics and distribution channels but also mitigates the risk of over‑reliance on a narrow range of commodities, a strategy that aligns with broader EU export diversification goals.

The six agreements signed during Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s visit include five collaboration protocols and a memorandum of understanding on denominations of origin, a legal framework that protects regional branding. After a two‑year negotiation that began in September 2024, Chinese authorities conducted on‑site inspections of Spanish orchards, confirming compliance with stringent phytosanitary standards. This clearance paves the way for immediate shipments, offering pistachio growers—who have struggled with volatile almond prices—a higher‑value outlet, while dried fig producers gain a foothold in a market that previously imported the fruit mainly from Turkey and the United States.

From a market‑share perspective, the new access could add an estimated $150 million in export revenue over the next three years, according to the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture. The move also intensifies competition with other Mediterranean exporters such as Greece and Italy, prompting them to pursue similar protocols. For investors and supply‑chain partners, the agreements signal a stable regulatory environment and a predictable demand pipeline, encouraging further capital allocation to Spanish orchard expansion and cold‑chain infrastructure aimed at the Asian market.