Morocco dominates Spanish pepper imports in first half of 2026

During the first half of 2026, Morocco emerged as the dominant supplier of peppers to Spain, accounting for approximately 95% of the country's total imports. According to data from Estacom (ICEX) compiled by Hortoinfo, Spain imported 83.34 million kilos of peppers between January and June 2026, with Moroccan volume reaching 79.01 million kilos.

This represents a significant increase in trade dependency, as Moroccan pepper exports to Spain have risen by 134.15% compared to the same period in 2017. The total expenditure by Spanish companies for these imports reached 125.68 million euros, with Moroccan peppers costing an average of 1.47 euros per kilo.

Other suppliers included France, which provided 1.13 million kilos (1.36% of the total), and Portugal, which provided 941,033 kilos (1.13% of the total). The surge in Moroccan imports highlights a shift in market dynamics and raises questions regarding the future of domestic production in Spanish regions such as Almería and Murcia.