AGP Executive Report

Spirits & Sales: Brown-Forman reported Q1 sales down 1% as Tequila weakness dragged results, while whisky was flat and Jack Daniel’s family declined overall—though a new Tennessee Blackberry launch helped cushion the fall. Premium Whisky in Spain: Qantima Group will exclusively distribute Japan’s Mars Whisky in Spain from Sept. 1, aiming to grow its luxury whisky range for both enthusiasts and hospitality. Travel, Food & Timing Culture: A New York Times-linked debate asks whether Spain’s famous late 10pm dining is fading, using booking data to test if diners are moving earlier. Tourism Pressure & Dining Reality: A piece on Barcelona overtourism ties crowd strain to wider anti-tourism protests, while another story highlights how some restaurants in tourist hotspots may restrict table use during peak periods. Malaga Dining: TheFork’s “Summer Hits” guide names four Malaga province restaurants among Spain’s top outdoor terraces, spotlighting strong ratings and prime summer locations. Anchovy Festival: Rincón de la Victoria kicks off its 10th Fiesta del Boquerón Victoriano (Sept 8–13) with live cooking and free tastings built around the local anchovy. Beer & Awards: Spain’s beer scene gets a boost as Mahou, Damm and Hijos de Rivera are cited among trophy winners at the 2026 International Beer Challenge. Packaging Deal Cleared: The EU approved the Caiba–Nosoplas merger under shared control, combining PET packaging and recycled PET supply in Spain. Security Watch: QR phishing (“quishing”) hit record levels, with Spain among the top countries for detections.

Malaga Dining Spotlight: TheFork’s “Summer Hits” guide names four Malaga-province restaurants among Spain’s top outdoor terraces, including El Cuartel del Mar (Chiclana de la Frontera), plus El Taller de Larios 10, Lola/Sonora Sky Bites, Príncipe de Asturias (Malaga city) and El Lago (Marbella), with criteria tied to ratings and booking strength. Anchovy Festival Buzz: Rincón de la Victoria (Costa del Sol) gears up for the 10th Fiesta del Boquerón Victoriano (Sept 8–13), featuring live cooking demos and free public tastings to keep the local anchovy front and centre for bars and restaurants. Airport Food & Spirits Push: Osborne Group will showcase its “Toro Tapas” airport dining concept at TFWA Cannes, alongside travel retail launches like Carlos I brandy refresh and new Veterano & Cola RTD, aiming to scale Spanish F&B experiences for travellers. Beer Awards in the Mix: Spain’s Mahou, Damm and Hijos de Rivera are among trophy winners at the 2026 International Beer Challenge Taste Awards, underscoring strong local craft and mainstream beer performance. Tourism Demand Signals: Google search data suggests Israelis’ travel intent is recovering, with flight searches up and Vietnam emerging as a standout destination—useful context for Spain’s inbound planning. Digital Threat Watch: QR phishing (“quishing”) hits record levels, with Spain among the top countries for detections, a reminder for hospitality and retail teams handling guest payments and mobile scanning.

Terrace Dining Buzz: TheFork’s “Summer Hits” guide names four Malaga-province restaurants among Spain’s top 50 outdoor dining terraces—El Taller de Larios 10, Lola (Sonora Sky Bites), Príncipe de Asturias (all in Malaga city), and El Lago in Marbella—spotlighting high review scores, strong booking volumes and bills of €25–€120. F&B Travel Retail Push: Osborne Group is bringing Spanish food-and-drink to travellers at TFWA Cannes via Toro Tapas (airport dining with Cinco Jotas ham, Nordés gin and Spanish wines), plus new Carlos I Brandy refresh and Veterano & Cola RTD. Anchovy Festival Spotlight: Rincón de la Victoria (Costa del Sol) launches the 10th Fiesta del Boquerón Victoriano (8–13 Sept) with live cooking, free public tastings and maritime heritage—anchovy as a local bar-and-restaurant driver. Spirits Sales Watch: Brown-Forman Q1 organic sales dip 1% as Tequila falls (down 13% organic) while New Mix grows, keeping attention on premium tequila and RTD momentum. Tourism & Spending Context: Eurozone inflation hits 3.3% in August (energy-led), with Spain at 4.5%, a backdrop that can pressure restaurant and bar budgets even as summer travel continues. Local Hospitality Headline: A Coruña-area restaurant Tropicaña faces a major dine-and-dash case after a €7,000 birthday party bill went unpaid despite a €500 deposit.

Beer in bars under pressure: Spain’s brewing industry is feeling a sharp hit as beer drinking outside the home falls 16.1% since 2022, with the 2025 Food Consumption Report pointing to a 9.4% drop in drinks consumed out between 2022 and 2025—hurting pubs, bars and breweries, especially in tourist-heavy regions like the Canaries where hospitality relies on visitor spend. Tourism spending gap: A UK-focused piece argues restoring tax-free shopping would boost visitor spending and jobs, framing it as a direct lever for bars and restaurants that depend on tourist retail-to-leisure spend. Cruise demand in Murcia: Cartagena is set for a record cruise push, with 93 ship calls scheduled from September to December and October expected to be the busiest month (39 arrivals; ~64,827 passengers). Food culture and resilience: A wartime recipe feature shows how Spain’s tortilla de patatas was adapted when eggs and potatoes were scarce—using bread and onion to mimic texture—highlighting how Spanish cooking evolves under pressure. Hospitality cashflow risk: A Galicia restaurant case shows dine-and-dash problems escalating, after a €500 deposit for a birthday party reportedly turned into a €7,000 unpaid bill when the family vanished. Wine and sustainability spotlight: Félix Solís Avantis is profiled as an affordable model for organic wine leadership, citing Spain’s position as the global leader in organic vineyard area.

Private Label Push in Europe: A new market overview says private label is no longer just about inflation/downtrading. Retailers’ investment and ambition are driving premiumising ranges, with Europe leading penetration; Spain and the Netherlands are highlighted among top private-label markets. Beer & Out-of-Home Pressure in Spain: Canarian Weekly reports beer consumption in bars and restaurants is down 16.1% since 2022, with drinks-out falling 9.4% from 2022 to 2025—though overall beer sales are still above 2022 thanks to supermarkets and shops. Tourism Economy Watch: Cartagena’s cruise season is set for a record autumn, with 93 ship calls from September to December and October expected to be the busiest month by both arrivals and passenger numbers. Hospitality Risk: Dine-and-Dash: A Culleredo barbecue case adds to a wider EU problem of customers leaving unpaid bills; some restaurants are considering pre-payment to cut walkout losses. Food Culture Spotlight: A wartime cookbook story revisits how Spain cooked when eggs and potatoes were scarce, using bread and onion to mimic tortilla de patatas. Wine Sustainability: Félix Solís Avantis is profiled as Spain’s organic-vineyard leader, arguing sustainable wine can stay affordable.

Beer-led travel: Spain’s tourism and gastronomy sector is coining “zitoturismo” to spotlight trips built around beer culture—brewery visits, tastings, pairings and workshops—backed by Cerveceros de España data showing most beer is enjoyed socially. Coastal dining politics: Marbella is moving to replace the Ranchón Cubano chiringuito on Real de Zaragoza beach, with a new 180 sq m food-and-drink kiosk contract (7-year deal, €52,000 yearly fee) sparking debate among eco campaigners. Sustainability in hospitality: Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca is rolling out greener operations, including GPS-guided autonomous mowers and its “Circular Orange” composting scheme that turns hotel organic waste into compost for orange trees used in resort restaurants. Food & drink culture in motion: A new “mountain social house” concept, Oveja Negra, is launching in Mallorca with coffee by day and signature cocktails by night. Tourism demand signals: Spain’s INE reports 11.5m+ UK visitors in Jan–Jul 2026, reinforcing how strongly British demand supports accommodation and dining across the country.

Tourism & Retail: Spain’s city-centre supermarket boom is getting a tourist twist, with Malaga seeing new “Carrefour City” style outlets and Mas & Go ready-meal formats aimed at visitors who want quick drinks and food. Food Culture & Travel: Brits remain Spain’s top overseas visitors, with 11.5m UK arrivals in Jan–Jul 2026 and strong July numbers, underlining how demand is shaping where and how people eat out. Gastronomy Recognition: Catalonia is set to award its Gold Medal to chef Ferran Adrià, keeping Spanish fine-dining in the spotlight. Hospitality Events: Extreme Barcelona (4–6 Sept) has named International Sports Broadcasting as host broadcaster, boosting international reach for the urban sports crowd that also drives food-and-drink footfall. Climate & Local Impact: Another wildfire hit Valencia’s El Saler area, forcing evacuations and closing beaches—another reminder of how summer shocks disrupt local food supply and tourism.

Food & Travel Culture: A couple of Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurateurs used a child-free food odyssey through Spain and France to reset their relationship, spotlighting how dining experiences can refresh hospitality families. New Openings: Urban Hip-E Fresh Kitchen has opened in Tempe, bringing a Colorado-born concept back to the founders’ Phoenix roots—another sign of Spain-style casual dining energy spreading through US city hubs. Spain Hospitality & Tourism: Benidorm named winners of its 2026 Ciudad de Benidorm Tourism Awards, including McDonald’s Spain for its “Mitiquísimo” campaign and the Benidorm Half for boosting sporting tourism beyond peak season. Local Food Events: Salobreña’s World Food Truck Festival returns Sept 3–6 with international street-food vans plus a jury-tasted cook-off. Food Heritage: Cabrales cheese hit a record €37,500 at Asturias’ 54th Cabrales Cheese Competition after four businesses teamed up for a secret bid. Environment & Food Supply Risk: Another wildfire struck Valencia’s El Saler forest, forcing evacuations and raising pressure on protected landscapes that support local agriculture and tourism.

Cheese Auction Buzz: Asturias’ Cabrales competition ended with a record €37,500 wheel after four businesses secretly teamed up for the winning bid, signaling fresh tactics in Spain’s premium dairy scene. Matcha & Dessert Culture: Kyo Matcha has opened in Chinatown with bright green matcha soft serve and hand-built crepes/cakes, including a Spain link that underlines how Spanish-adjacent food trends keep spreading. Spanish Food Festival: “Eat Spain, Drink Spain” returns for its fourth edition, spotlighting Spanish restaurants, retailers and tastings (plus cooking classes) and awarding top venues for authentic cuisine in Singapore. Sustainability & Inclusion Call: ChangeCup is now accepting applications across Italy, Spain, Greece and Germany, aiming to connect migrant inclusion with sustainable cooking and anti-waste practices. Hospitality & Tax Pressure (UK): Chef Tom Kerridge urges a permanent VAT cut for hospitality as a temporary scheme ends—relevant for Spain’s wider restaurant cost debate. Ceuta Migration Disinfo: Spain’s PM says EU research points to Russian/Israeli disinformation behind the Ceuta surge, with no proof of Moroccan involvement.

Tariffs & Trade Law: Trump’s Canada tariffs lean on a little-used 1930s statute (Section 338), raising fresh questions over whether the move can survive a legal challenge—important for cross-border food and drink flows. Spanish Hospitality & Tourism: A Valencia paella pricing mix-up (advertised “€23” per person vs whole-dish expectations) is going viral, while separate coverage highlights how visitors can miss “better than Benidorm” food and sights by staying on the strip. New Openings in Spain: Telefèric Barcelona opens at Fashion Island, leaning into Spanish wine culture with traditional porrón serving. Beer Spotlight (Murcia): Estrella de Levante’s Reserva 60 wins world’s best Dortmunder-style lager at the 2026 World Beer Awards, putting Murcia hops on the global map. Olive Oil Sector Watch: After the Deoleo struggle, attention turns to what’s at stake for Spain’s olive oil business model. Food Culture & Events: Madrid hosts Meet Massari R-Evolution on artisan panettone, bringing together Spanish and Italian pastry leaders.

Aviation Disruption: A Jet2 flight to Ibiza declared a mid-air emergency and made an emergency U-turn, diverting to Paris (Charles de Gaulle) before continuing later—another reminder of how travel chaos can hit Spain’s tourism pipeline. Tourism & Pricing Shock: Tourists in Gandia sparked debate after a “€23 paella” turned out to be per person, not for the whole dish, reigniting complaints about unclear menu pricing. Beer Spotlight (Murcia): Estrella de Levante’s Reserva 60 was named the world’s best Dortmunder-style lager at the 2026 World Beer Awards, putting Murcia’s brewing on the global map. New Openings (Barcelona): Telefèric Barcelona opened at Fashion Island, leaning into Spanish wine-and-dining culture with a menu highlight of lobster paella. Food Culture (Spain): A Madrid event on Sept. 14, Meet Massari R-Evolution, brings top Spanish and Italian pastry figures together to explore artisan panettone—plus live demos and a flour blend showcase. Travel Seasonality: Shoulder-season travel coverage highlights why autumn can be better for Mallorca and other Mediterranean spots—cooler dining, fewer crowds, and easier restaurant life.

Wine & Climate Watch: A new wine-world reality check is emerging as climate change reshapes demand and production; the big question now is whether India can ride the shift, with Sula’s wine tourism already drawing 400,000+ visitors a year and topping Rs 100 crore in FY2026. NHS & Biotech (Food-adjacent): NICE in England and Wales has recommended Henlius’ serplulimab (Hetronifly) for routine NHS use in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer—an update that signals how fast new pharma options are moving through UK systems. Hospitality & Pricing Shock: Tourists in Gandia sparked a TikTok storm after a “€23 paella” turned out to be €23 per person, highlighting how menu abbreviations like p/p can trip up visitors and hit restaurant reputations. Beer Spotlight (Murcia): Estrella de Levante’s Reserva 60 won the world’s best Dortmunder-style lager at the 2026 World Beer Awards, putting Murcia hops and brewing craft in the global spotlight. Travel-to-Food Angle: A Benidorm-to-Alicante tip is going viral with a €3 tram ticket pitch—pushing food-and-drink seekers toward Alicante’s castle views and harbour strolls.

Hospitality & Pricing Reality Check: Tourists in Gandia sparked a debate after a “€23 paella” turned out to be €23 per person, not for the whole dish—highlighting how Spanish menu labels like “p/p” can trip up visitors. Beer Spotlight: Murcia’s Estrella de Levante’s Reserva 60 won World’s Best Dortmunder at the 2026 World Beer Awards, putting a regional lager recipe and local hops in the global spotlight. Travel Retail & Spanish Food Branding: Osborne Group is pushing its Toro Tapas airport dining concept at TFWA in Cannes, pairing Spanish cuisine with Cinco Jotas ham, Nordés gin and Spanish wines, with new formats planned for Amsterdam Schiphol. Pastry Industry Event: Madrid will host Meet Massari R-Evolution on Sept 14, bringing together top Spanish and Italian pastry figures to discuss artisan panettone, technique and flour innovation. Local Tourism Pressure: Marbella has launched a tender for a replacement beach bar (chiringuito) after the iconic Ranchón Cubano was removed from a protected dune area, with strict location rules. Drink Trend Watch: A new autumn “coffee alternative” buzz is spreading in the UK around horchata, with Valencia’s tiger-nut version noted alongside the Mexican rice-based classic.

Tourism & Pricing Shock: Tourists in Gandia were horrified by a paella bill after mistaking a €23 “per person” menu price for the total dish, sparking debate online about how Spanish menus label p/p. Beer Spotlight: Murcia’s Estrella de Levante Reserva 60 won World’s Best Dortmunder-style lager at the 2026 World Beer Awards, putting a regional craft on the global map. Barcelona Dining Depth: A guide urges visitors to go beyond “obvious” spots in Barcelona, highlighting young market-driven chefs, Michelin dining, Gothic Quarter tavernas, and classic patisseries. Travel Retail & Spanish Flavours: Osborne Group is pushing its Toro Tapas airport concept at TFWA Cannes, pairing Spanish cuisine with Cinco Jotas ham, Nordés gin and Spanish wines, with more openings planned. Hospitality Real Estate: Marbella has launched a tender for a new beach bar (MAR-40) to replace the iconic Ranchón Cubano, with strict limits tied to protected dunes. Inflation Watch: Spain’s inflation jumped to 4.3% in August, with energy driving the rise—an immediate pressure point for food and drink costs. Artisan Pastry Event: Madrid will host Meet Massari R-Evolution on Sept 14, bringing Spanish and Italian pastry figures to discuss artisan panettone and technique.

Artisan Pastry Spotlight: Madrid will host for the first time Meet Massari R-Evolution on Sept 14 at ABC Serrano Space, bringing Spanish and Italian pastry figures together to debate and demo artisan panettone, including live prep by Iginio Massari and a second version using Molino Dallagiovanna’s Blackery flour blend with Callebaut. Travel Retail & Spanish Flavours: Osborne will push its Toro Tapas airport dining concept at TFWA in Cannes, pairing Spanish cuisine with Cinco Jotas ham, Nordés gin and Spanish wines, plus new Carlos I, Veterano & Cola and Cinco Jotas formats. Beverage Win from Murcia: Estrella de Levante’s Reserva 60 was named best Dortmunder-style beer at the 2026 World Beer Awards, boosting Spain’s craft lager credentials. Late-Summer Drinking Trend: Familia Torres’ Torres Essentials released four late-summer cocktail recipes, including alcohol-free options, as wine brands lean into the cocktail category. Inflation Watch: Spain’s annual inflation jumped to 4.3% in August, with energy prices a key driver, adding pressure to food and drink costs. Tourism & Food Reality Check: A viral case shows tourists shocked by a paella bill after misreading a €23 menu price as the whole dish rather than per person.

M&A Watch (Olive Oil): Spain’s olive oil power struggle heats up as the Deoleo takeover battle could reshape how the sector sells globally, with Coricelli reportedly in the mix and bids from Spanish players like DCOOP and Acesur also making noise. Tourism & Dining Reality Check (Paella Pricing): Spanish restaurant-goers were left stunned after a “€23 paella” turned out to be per person, sparking a TikTok debate about whether it’s a rip-off or a menu-reading fail. Beverage Innovation (Coca-Cola Zero): Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Zero Caffeine is set to launch in Brazil, with the variant already established in Spain since 2010—another sign of wellness-led demand shaping soft drinks. Food Tech & Nutrition (Gluten-Free + AI): A new report says AI is speeding up gluten-free R&D and reshaping supply chains, with investment cited across Italy, Spain and Germany. Travel Retail (Spanish F&B in Airports): Osborne is expanding Toro Tapas at airports, adding new formats at Amsterdam Schiphol in 2027 as it pushes Spanish wine, spirits and ready-to-eat concepts into global travel retail. Hospitality Deals (Hotels): Kaya Hotels & Resorts buys the ME Barcelona hotel for about €100m, signaling continued investment in Spain’s premium hotel stock.