Globalization versus Regionalization in Agri-Food Exports from Spain and Portugal

Abstract

Spain and Portugal, two countries located in southern Europe, share a significant export specialization in agricultural and agri-food products compared to the EU-27 as a whole. Based on arguments drawn from the literature and information provided by Eurostat, this paper first identifies the characteristics of the dynamics of sales of agri-food products in the international market for the two Iberian Peninsula economies between 2008 and 2022, a period marked by the introduction of restrictions on foreign trade flows worldwide. Secondly, using panel data methodology, it examines how imports by EU-27 partners influence this trajectory. The results confirm the strengthening of export specialization in these two countries, which sell a wide variety of agri-food products in international markets. Additionally, in the case of Spain, the estimated concentration indices show a spatial diversification process towards new destinations. In both economies, however, the EU-27 market, characterized by strong competition and low development expectations, continues to influence export trends in the short and medium terms. Consequently, institutions and companies in the sector must adopt a more dynamic approach and implement actions aimed at facilitating access to new export destinations and consolidating business there. Thus, an increasing share of their exports should be reoriented towards markets with higher demand growth, helping to reinforce the global competitiveness of the national agri-food sector. This research contributes to the scientific literature on the medium- and long-term effects of economic integration processes on the exports of agri-food products of member countries.