ICEX and Ganado Selecto: reverse mission SICAB 2026 to export Spanish livestock breeds

Key data

If you have a company in the selective livestock breeds sector and have been looking for ways to open markets in the USA, Europe or Latin America, this agreement opens a concrete door for you. ICEX and the Royal Spanish Federation of Associations of Ganado Selecto have signed an agreement to organize a reverse mission extension within the framework of the SICAB in Seville, bringing international buyers and opinion leaders directly to Spain.

The resolution publishing the agreement was signed on October 7, 2026 and published in the BOE on October 19, 2026. The objective is clear: to generate concrete business opportunities for the Spanish selective livestock breeds sector and strengthen its international positioning.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement formalizes collaboration between ICEX and the Federation to organize a reverse mission, a modality in which foreign buyers travel to Spain instead of Spanish companies traveling abroad. In this case, visitors will come from three priority markets:

• United States
• Europe
• Latin America

Visitors are buyers and opinion leaders in the selective livestock breeds sector. The activity is not limited to the SICAB fairground: it includes visits to production centers in Andalusia and other prominent regions of Spain.

The agreement distributes responsibilities clearly between the two parties:

The activity is framed within ICEX's Foods and Wines from Spain Academy and Restaurants from Spain programs, which strengthens its international projection and consistency with Spain's brand strategy abroad.

Economic and operational impact

For companies in the sector, this reverse mission represents a business opportunity at reduced cost: it is not the company that travels, but the buyer who comes. This eliminates the costs of travel, accommodation and representation at international trade fairs that typically fall on the exporter.

The complete logistics of the buyers' trip—transportation, accommodation, insurance and English-language support—are handled by the Federation as a Collaborator in the agreement. Participating companies need only assume the costs of preparing their own presentation and guaranteeing English-language support.

The potential impact is significant: buyers and opinion leaders from the USA, Europe and Latin America are profiles with real decision-making capacity in their markets. An impressed opinion leader can generate sustained demand in their home country far beyond the one-off contact at the mission.

Additionally, the framing within ICEX's Foods and Wines from Spain Academy and Restaurants from Spain programs provides additional visibility within already-established networks of international distributors and opinion leaders.

Who does it affect?

• Breeders and producers of Spanish selective livestock breeds with export vocation
• Companies in the equine sector, especially Spanish Pure Breed Horse (PRE)
• Production centers in Andalusia and other regions that can receive visits from international buyers
• Breeders' associations integrated into the Royal Spanish Federation of Associations of Ganado Selecto
• Companies with English-language support capacity that can accredit export experience or potential

Companies that cannot accredit export capacity or do not have English-language visitor support are excluded from the scope of this mission, as both are requirements expressly included in the agreement.

Practical example

Imagine an Andalusian stud farm specializing in Spanish Pure Breed Horse that has been trying to open the US market for years without success, mainly due to the cost and complexity of participating in international trade fairs.

Thanks to this reverse mission, a US buyer—selected by ICEX and the Federation—travels to Seville for SICAB, with all expenses covered by the Federation as Collaborator. After the fair, they visit the stud farm's facilities directly in Andalusia, see the animals, learn about the breeding process and hold a business meeting in English with the company manager.

The result: a qualified contact, on the producer's own ground, without the company having to travel or assume the costs of representation abroad. If the company meets the two requirements—accredited export capacity and English-language support—it can access this type of meeting through its industry association integrated into the Federation.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if you meet the participation requirements: the agreement requires accrediting export capacity and having English-language visitor support. Check if your company meets both conditions before taking any further steps.
2. Contact your industry association: access to the reverse mission is through the Royal Spanish Federation of Associations of Ganado Selecto. If you are a member, consult with your breeders' association about the registration procedure and available deadlines.
3. Prepare your English-language presentation: visiting buyers and opinion leaders come from the USA, Europe and Latin America. Having materials, product sheets and staff with English communication capacity is a mandatory requirement and also a competitive advantage.
4. Review your export capacity documentation: have ready the documentation that accredits your export history or export potential, as it will be necessary to participate.
5. Plan visits to your facilities: if your production centers are in Andalusia or other prominent regions, prepare an attractive and professional tour for international buyers who may visit you.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-21771