Luis Planas underlines the strength of the agri-food relationship between Spain and Mexico

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, during his official trip to Mexico

During his official visit to the country, Planas met with his Mexican counterpart, the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Antonio Berdegué, with whom he agreed on the importance of maintaining and strengthening existing good trade relations. Planas also pointed out that Spain will champion Mexico's agri-food interests in the EU.

Spain exported to Mexico agri-food products worth around €700 million in 2025, including emblematic products such as olive oil and wine.

The Spanish minister highlighted the importance of the modernisation of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement, which will enable the elimination of tariffs on numerous products, facilitate trade and protect geographical indications, creating a stable and secure framework for farmers and exporters on both sides of the Atlantic. The two countries also discussed health issues, such as African Swine Fever. Spain's objective is to negotiate regionalisation with Mexico to ensure safe trade from disease-free zones.

Bilateral cooperation also extends to technical and scientific fields, including irrigation, agricultural innovation, digitalisation of the agri-food sector and knowledge transfer, areas in which Spain has extensive experience. In this context, the minister extended an invitation to Mexico to take part in the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries, to be held in Cordoba in September 2026, as part of the 30th Ibero-American Summit to be held in Madrid.

Promotion of gastronomy and business meetings

During his stay in Mexico, Planas held meetings with food and beverage importers and representatives of restaurants certified with the Restaurants from Spain seal, whom he thanked for their work as true ambassadors of Spanish gastronomy and food abroad.

There are currently more than 500 certified restaurants around the world, 30 of them in Mexico, which contribute to spreading the quality, diversity and tradition of Spanish products, strengthening Spain's international image. In this context, the minister highlighted the actions of the Spain Food Nation strategy, which brings Spanish gastronomy and products closer to consumers, professionals and companies in strategic markets.

Planas also presented the International Plan for Spanish Gastronomy, an initiative promoted by the Government aimed at strengthening the global presence of our cuisine and consolidating it as one of Spain's major cultural, tourist and economic assets.

Minister Planas has concluded his visit to Mexico, reaffirming that this trip strengthens the bilateral relationship and underlines the strategic role of agri-food cooperation between the two countries, based on quality, innovation and the international projection of their products.

Non official translation