Spain Food Nation VII 2026-2027: opportunities for agrifood exporters

Key data

Spanish exporters and agrifood companies have an active international promotion lever for the next two years. The Spain Food Nation VII agreement, signed on 24 March 2026 between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and ICEX Spain Export and Investment, launches the seventh consecutive edition of this country-brand initiative for the food and beverage sector in foreign markets.

It is neither an obligation nor a cost for companies: it is an international positioning opportunity financed with public budget shared between both entities. The key is knowing how to take advantage of it.

What does this regulation establish?

The Spain Food Nation VII agreement formalizes the agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and ICEX to finance and execute international communication actions for the Spanish agrifood sector during the 2026-2027 biennium. It is the direct continuation of previous editions, consolidating a long-term strategy for building a country-brand for Spanish food and beverages.

The activities provided for in the agreement are:

• International promotion campaigns for Spanish agrifood products
• Presence at international sector trade fairs
• Public relations actions aimed at foreign buyers
• Public relations actions aimed at international media
• Public relations actions aimed at foreign consumers

The agreement also establishes a framework for joint governance and monitoring between the Ministry and ICEX, with a shared budget allocation between both public entities to cover all these activities.

Economic and operational impact

This agreement does not generate direct costs for private agrifood companies. Financing is entirely the responsibility of the two signatory public entities: the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and ICEX Spain Export and Investment.

The impact for the private sector is one of opportunity, not obligation:

• Greater international visibility: Communication campaigns position Spanish food and beverages with buyers, distributors, media and consumers in key foreign markets.
• Country-brand umbrella effect: The Spain Food Nation strategy acts as a brand umbrella that benefits all sector exporters, especially SMEs that do not have their own budget for international communication actions of this scope.
• Access to international trade fairs: ICEX organizes and co-finances Spanish presence at international sector trade fairs, allowing companies to participate on more favorable terms than if they attended independently.
• Strategy continuity: Being the seventh consecutive edition, the initiative accumulates recognition and presence in target markets, which amplifies the return for companies that join.

From an operational standpoint, interested companies should be in contact with ICEX to learn about the calendar of activities, trade fairs and campaigns planned for the 2026-2027 biennium and plan their participation with sufficient advance notice.

Who does it affect?

The agreement directly or indirectly benefits:

• Spanish exporters of food and beverages with presence or interest in international markets
• Agrifood producers who want to open new foreign markets
• Sector companies that participate in international trade fairs organized or co-financed by ICEX
• Agrifood SMEs that benefit from the umbrella effect of the Spain Food Nation brand without needing to invest in their own international communication
• Associations and organizations in the agrifood sector that collaborate with ICEX in the planned actions
• Distributors and operators working with Spanish agrifood products abroad

Practical example

A medium-sized Spanish winery that exports wine to Asian and North American markets can benefit from Spain Food Nation VII in the following way:

ICEX organizes, within the framework of the agreement, a public relations action with media specialized in food and gastronomy in Japan or the United States. The winery, if registered as an exporter with ICEX and has communicated its interest, can be included in the tastings, presentations or communication materials generated in that action, obtaining international media coverage that independently would cost it tens of thousands of euros.

Similarly, if ICEX organizes collective Spanish participation in an international food and beverage trade fair in 2026 or 2027, the winery can access a space in the Spain pavilion on economic terms much lower than those of a direct and individual participation, also taking advantage of the accumulated recognition of the Spain Food Nation brand from previous editions.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify registration with ICEX: Make sure your company is registered as an exporter or potential exporter in the ICEX system. It is the first step to receive information about activities, trade fairs and campaigns of the Spain Food Nation VII program.
2. Contact the corresponding ICEX office: Request information about the calendar of activities planned in 2026-2027 within the Spain Food Nation VII agreement: international trade fairs, communication campaigns and public relations actions in target markets.
3. Identify priority markets: Review which foreign markets ICEX will concentrate the agreement's actions on and assess whether they coincide with your current markets or those you want to open.
4. Plan participation in advance: International trade fairs and campaigns have registration and preparation deadlines. Act with sufficient advance notice to not miss the calls of the first year of the agreement (2026).
5. Coordinate with sector associations: Many Spain Food Nation actions are articulated through sector organizations. Consult with your reference association if it has planned collaboration with ICEX within the framework of this agreement.