Food commodity production and imports in Spain and the EU: how much external autonomy is there?

Rationale This article analyses European Union (EU) and Spanish production and imports of food commodities. A distinction is drawn between intra- and extra-EU imports, documenting the main non-EU suppliers and their concentration. The article also examines the geopolitical affinity of these non-EU suppliers with Spain and the EU. Takeaways •Products are considered to have high external vulnerability when, in addition to being produced in insufficient quantity to cover domestic consumption, they meet three conditions: (i) extra-EU imports exceed total exports (i.e. exports cannot fully replace such imports); (ii) extra-EU imports account for more than 50% of total imports; and (iii) there is high concentration among non-EU suppliers. •On these criteria, both the EU and Spain show considerable external autonomy in the 11 food categories analysed, primarily underpinned by domestic production and trade integration within the European single market. •Spain has strong supply and export capacity in olive oil, meat, fruit and vegetables. The only food commodity group that meets the criteria for high external dependency is oilseeds. •The geopolitical positioning of the main non-EU suppliers of food commodities does not appear to pose a significant risk to either Spain or other countries in the region.