Trade trends in Europe: The Most Sought-After Goods and Services
According to official information from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Enterprises, in 2023 Spanish merchandise exports reached €383.7 billion.
Through europages, we can identify the search trends for exports and imports of goods and services across Europe. In our latest barometer, we noted that the top three searches on the continent are led by the cosmetics, food, and clothing sectors. Following closely are the import and export agents' services and the thriving second-hand clothing sector. Within the automotive sector, the most sought-after category is car parts. Other products in the top 20 searches include footwear, steel and metals, and beauty items. Products showing the greatest increase in searches in recent months include glass, waterproofing materials for construction, lacquers, and medical electrical devices. In this table, you can see the 20 most popular products on europages along with the volume of daily searches
The Most Sought-After Sectors in Spain for Export
If we focus on Spain in terms of export search during the last twelve months, we find five sectors that stand out above the rest in terms of searches on the platform by foreign companies.
Food Sector: The "Food" sector at the first place leads the way with the meat and agri-food sections. Not far from the food theme, the second most searched Spanish sector is "Agriculture and Livestock", with star products being fruits and vegetables, of great importance to the Spanish economy.
Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals: In third place is the "Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals" sector, where Spanish perfumes and cosmetics have gained great popularity in neighboring markets.
Textile and Clothing Industry: Spanish textile companies are known worldwide, so it's no surprise that the "Textile and Clothing Industry" sector ranks fourth in this classification. Here, interest extends beyond traditional men's and women's clothing, with a growing demand for companies specializing in second-hand apparel.
Luxury and Leisure Products: In fifth place is the "Luxury and Leisure Products" category, where the most searched companies are those offering import and export agents' services.
Countries Most Interested in Spanish Products
Now that we know the sectors generating the most searches and requests within the B2B trade in Spain, it’s time to focus on the countries showing the most interest in these offerings. Analyzing the searches made on europages by interested traders over the past year, we can point out three countries especially attentive to Spanish products and services:
- France: The Main Interested Party in Spanish Products
For decades, there has been significant economic activity between the two countries. France leads the search for Spanish products and services in almost all categories, with an average of 12.380 searches per day. However, their interest is especially focused, from most to least searches, in the sectors of "Food", "Textile and Clothing Industry", "Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals", "Luxury and Leisure Products", and "Agriculture and Livestock".
- Italy: Focus on Food and Agriculture
Italy, with its rich culinary tradition and similarities to Spanish gastronomy, shows a preference for Spanish products related to food and agriculture. The data provided by europages show a total of approximately 5.620 daily searches for Italian companies interested in importing Spanish products.
- Portugal: The Benefit of Proximity
The proximity to Portugal makes it one of the most interested in Spanish products and services. The Portuguese performed around 5.046 searches per day on the platform.. The "Textile and Clothing Industry", "Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals", as well as "Luxury and Leisure Products", are favored by Portuguese trading partners. This interest reflects an appreciation for innovation and quality in products that enhance daily life.
Spain: A Key Player in the European Market
For Spanish companies, understanding market trends is crucial for leveraging their export potential. Digitalization and B2B platforms play a vital role in accessing international markets, enabling companies to extend their reach beyond national borders. Adapting to European market demands and preferences is often a key factor in achieving success.
With over 2.2 million registered and active companies and two buyer inquiries per second, at europages we closely follow product trends and buyer interest across Europe. Data from these searches show that Spain, at the European level, is the fifth most searched country in Europe. Focusing on quote requests with interest in exporting products, Spain also ranks fifth, behind France, Turkey, Germany, and Italy.
In conclusion, Spain firmly positions itself as a key exporter in Europe, offering a diverse range of products from cosmetics to agricultural goods. The high demand from countries like France, Portugal, and Italy highlights the quality and appeal of Spanish products. Companies that orient themselves towards internationalization and take advantage of B2B platforms will be in a favorable position to grow and compete in the European market.
In a nutshell:
- The sectors of cosmetics, food, and clothing are the most sought-after in Europe.
- In the last twelve months, food, agriculture, livestock, chemicals and pharmaceuticals from Spain generate the most interest from European countries for export.
- France, Portugal, and Italy are the nations showing the greatest interest in importing Spanish products.