AGP Executive Report

Food Waste Law: Spain’s legislature approved its first Law on the Prevention of Food Loss and Waste, but last-minute changes left the “Iberian wolf” protection framework in a legal limbo, with hunting rules shifting north of the Duero pending updates. Dealcoholized Wine Tech: Henkell Freixenet is expanding premium dealcoholized sparkling wine production at its Wiesbaden site, installing Solos’ Aroma Recovery System to better preserve aroma and sensory identity. Retail Opening Hours: In Alicante, Mercadona will close on Oct 9 and Oct 12, while Consum closes Oct 9 but opens Oct 12 from 9:00-14:30; other shops like El Corte Inglés and Gran Vía have specific Oct 12 hours. Hospitality Jobs: A San Javier bar, Hilario y la Dama, reopened with a new team including six people with disabilities via an AIDEMAR employment project. Tourism Pressure: Mallorca has capped cruise visits at three ships per day and 7,500 passengers total, aiming to curb over-tourism. Weather & Safety: Flash floods and storms hit Spain’s east, with reports of deaths and major disruption, prompting stay-indoors warnings.

Cruise Pressure on Mallorca: Mallorca has capped cruise visits to just three ships per day and 7,500 passengers total, aiming to curb over-tourism in Palma as other European ports tighten rules. Tourism Safety Spotlight: On the Costa del Sol, a reported motorway shooting and a wider rise in public violence have triggered fresh calls for tougher policing—an issue that can hit visitor confidence and local hospitality. Floods Hit Spain’s East Coast: Flash floods in and around Madrigueras (near Alicante) killed a 102-year-old woman and left 90 people to be rescued, with authorities urging people to avoid flooded areas. Labor Market Watch: Spain surpassed 3.6m foreign workers registered with Social Security, with growth strongest in construction, real estate, and agriculture/livestock/fishing. Food Culture & Purpose: José Andrés promoted his new Spain-focused cookbook tied to his “Power of Food” mission, while Spain’s embassy in Paraguay launched Aires de España with free cultural and gastronomic events.

Extreme Weather & Tourism Disruption: Spain issued its highest weather warning as flash floods and a “mini-hurricane” hit the east coast, with reports of a 102-year-old woman dead and 90 rescued, plus another death in Barcelona-area flooding—roads turned into rivers and authorities urged people to stay indoors. Local Governance & Retail Hours: For Spain’s Oct 12 National Day, banks and offices shut across the Axarquia and Costa Tropical, but Andalucia allows larger supermarkets to open—still, chains decide hours, so shoppers are being told to check locally. Canary Islands Travel Planning: Two October/November bank-holiday weekends (Oct 12 and Nov 2) could reshape opening times for services and boost domestic short breaks. Food Culture Spotlight: A travel feature highlights Córdoba’s late-night flamenco scene and the city’s food-and-wine draw beyond the Mezquita crowds. Labor Market Watch: Spain surpassed 3.6M foreign workers registered with Social Security, with construction and agriculture among the fastest-growing sectors. Hospitality & Safety Concerns: Separate reporting flags rising gang violence fears on the Costa del Sol, adding a new layer of risk perception for visitors. Food-Adjacent Lifestyle: A José Andrés profile ties Spanish cooking to his “Power of Food” mission via World Central Kitchen.

Extreme Weather & Food Supply Disruption: Spain issued its highest weather warning as torrential storms hit the east coast, with red alerts in Valencia, Castellón and Tarragona and flash-flood danger described as “extraordinary,” turning roads into raging rivers. Housing Crisis With Food-City Spillover: Spain’s eviction fight escalated after the forced removal of an 87-year-old pensioner sparked nationwide outrage and a proposed eviction ban—an issue that can quickly reshape local life, footfall and spending patterns for restaurants and markets. Agri-Food Watch: Spanish mango consumption jumped 33.4% in 2025 (to 49,857 tons), while pomegranate growers expect 40,000–50,000 tons in 2026, with harvest starting in the second week of October. Category & Consumer Trends: Consumers are paying more for healthier drinks as alcohol sales decline, and Spain is also pushing cultural spending via the 400-euro Youth Cultural Voucher (deadline Oct 31) that can lift demand for food-and-drink venues tied to events. Festival & Beer Culture: SON Estrella Galicia Posidonia returns for its 10th anniversary in Formentera with limited attendance and a strong local gastronomy/beer focus.

Extreme Weather: Spain issued its highest warning as flash floods hit Madrigueras near Alicante, killing a 102-year-old woman and forcing 90 rescues, with streets turning into rivers and cars swept away. Tourism Safety: On the Costa del Sol, reports of gang violence and “ticking time bomb” fears are prompting calls for tighter policing around popular marina hotspots in Malaga. Food & Drink Security: Spain jumped to No.2 globally for QR-code phishing (“quishing”), with restaurants and tourist venues urged to check physical codes to avoid fake menu links and scam subscriptions. Agri-Food Outlook: Spanish pomegranate growers expect 40,000–50,000 tons in 2026, while Spanish household mango consumption rose 33.4% in 2025, reaching 49,857 tons. Beverage Trends: Alcohol sales are slipping across major European grocery markets as shoppers cut back, but low- and no-alcohol drinks are rising fast, including functional and health-led options. Local Gastronomy: Alicante’s first Alasbravas championship went to Vino y Mas with a smoky kimchi sauce bravas recipe, earning a spot at Alicante Gastronomica. Culture with a Food Angle: Spain’s embassy in Paraguay launched Aires de España, mixing cultural and gastronomic programming across October.

Housing & Politics: Spain’s housing crisis stays in the spotlight after the lower house scrapped key parts of PM Pedro Sánchez’s plan, with reports he could call a snap election following mass protests sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old pensioner in Madrid. Weather & Tourism: Spain issued its highest red alert for torrential storms along the east coast, with Valencia, Castellón and Tarragona warned of flash floods, hail and strong winds. Food & Drink Market: New Circana analysis shows alcohol sales slipping across major European grocery markets while low- and no-alcohol drinks rise, pointing to “moderation” and functional/health-led categories gaining share. Local Food Culture: Alicante’s first Alasbravas championship went to Vino y Mas with a smoky kimchi patatas bravas; the win earns a spot at Alicante Gastronomica. Consumer Safety: Spain ranks near the top globally for QR-code phishing (“quishing”), pushing restaurants and venues to tighten how menu codes are displayed. Agri-Food: Spanish mango consumption jumped 33% in 2025, while pomegranate growers expect 40,000–50,000 tons in 2026. Industry & Trade: Sabores Almería returns to Malaga’s SUR Wines & Gourmet, bringing wineries, preserves, cured meats and drinks producers under the regional quality banner. Travel Tech for Foodies: Lorca launched VISITLORCA, a multilingual platform with itineraries and QR ticketing for attractions, hotels, restaurants and shops.

Weather & Tourism Disruption: Spain issued a red alert for “extraordinary danger” as torrential storms hit Valencia, Castellón and Tarragona, with flash-flood risk, large hail and strong winds turning roads into raging rivers. Food Safety & Fraud: Spain jumped to No. 2 globally for QR code scams, with “quishing” targeting restaurants and tourist spots; experts urge extra care when scanning physical menu codes. Retail & Supply: Mango demand in Spain surged 33.4% in 2025, reaching 49,857 tons, as European mango campaigns lean on shorter harvest-to-shelf timing. Industry Performance: Bonduelle reported stable sales and profitability for 2025-2026 despite shocks including Chinese sweet corn imports, higher energy costs and a heatwave hitting yields. Local Flavours: Alicante’s first Alasbravas championship went to Vino y Mas, winning with smoky kimchi patatas bravas; the recipe earns a spot at Alicante Gastronomica. Travel Tech for Foodies: Lorca launched VISITLORCA, bundling attractions, events, tickets and QR entry into one multilingual platform for visitors and participating hotels/restaurants. Airline Perks for Wine Lovers: Delta’s SkyMiles program lets eligible passengers check a case of wine for free on select flights from five California airports.

Airport F&B Boom: Areas has won a major Aena tender for Spanish airports, securing 14 outlets across Málaga-Costa del Sol, Gran Canaria and Valencia, with concessions worth close to €900m over 8–10 years and €7.8m in fit-outs plus a refreshed mix of local and international brands. Airline Gastronomy Push: Iberia and the Royal Academy of Gastronomy team up for Iberia’s 2027 centenary, promising on-board and lounge tastings and menu ideas built around Spanish agri-food staples like seafood preserves, garden products and extra virgin olive oil. Tourism Tech in Murcia Region: Lorca launches VISITLORCA, a multilingual digital platform with an AI itinerary planner, interactive map, ticketing and a 24/48/72-hour tourist card—QR entry included for partner museums, hotels, restaurants and shops. Hospitality Labour Crackdown: Granada police arrest a man with nearly 30 prior arrests over alleged exploitation of undocumented hospitality workers, including unpaid wages and shifts up to 16 hours. Sherry & Tapas Spotlight: Jerez is named Spain’s “capital of Gastronomy,” with the wider sherry triangle and Cádiz’s seafood-and-market culture highlighted.

Airport F&B Expansion: Areas won a major Aena tender for €900m in concessions, adding 14 outlets across Málaga-Costa del Sol, Gran Canaria and Valencia, with €7.8m investment and a refreshed mix including its StrEAT street-food concept. Restaurant Funding: American Express and the IDA Foundation opened applications for the Backing International Small Restaurants grants (over $1.5m, 100+ independent restaurants across nine countries, including Spain). On-the-ground Tourism Tech: Lorca launched VISITLORCA, a multilingual digital platform with ticketing, itineraries and a 24/48/72-hour tourist card—built to help hotels, museums, restaurants and shops sell and manage visits. Food Waste Reality Check: Spain’s food waste problem is mostly at home: 97.5% comes from households, with fruit/veg and “buying just in case” driving losses. Labour Rights Probe: Granada police arrested a repeat offender accused of exploiting undocumented hospitality workers with 16-hour shifts and unpaid wages of €600–€900. Wine & Travel Tie-in: Iberia and the Royal Academy of Gastronomy signed a centenary deal to spotlight Spanish agri-food via onboard tastings and premium-lounge menus featuring seafood preserves, garden products and extra virgin olive oil.

Food Waste Reality Check (Spain): Spain’s food waste problem is mostly at home: 97.5% of the 1,101.8 million kilos wasted comes from family fridges and pantries, driven by shopping without a plan and buying “just in case,” with fruit, veg and leafy greens making up 46% of the losses. Tourism & Hospitality Boost (Spain/Europe): Malaga’s San Diego Comic-Con Malaga (Oct 1–4) is expected to pull high-spend visitors across the Costa del Sol, lifting hotels and spilling into restaurants, taxis and beach bars. Wine & On-Premise Culture (Barcelona): A Barcelona wine bar with roots back to 1932 became the backdrop for an Airbourne frontman’s wine-nerd visit—spotlighting how Spain’s on-trade scene keeps blending lifestyle, music and serious lists. Drinks Industry Watch (F&B trends): Industry coverage flags how GLP-1 weight-loss use is starting to reshape demand and product strategy, with protein-led angles gaining attention while some categories face pressure. Housing Policy With Food-Industry Spillovers (Spain): Spain’s coalition backs a plan to ban evictions until 2030 and curb “vulture funds,” a move that could affect consumer confidence and local spending patterns. Climate Pressure on Supply (Europe): Heatwaves are forcing food supply chains to rethink sourcing and inventory, with examples including Spain-linked produce sourcing when European harvests falter.

Food Waste Reality Check: Spain still throws away over 1 million tonnes of food a year, with 97.5% coming from households—driven by habits like buying “just in case” and poor storage. Climate Pressure on Supply: Heatwaves are forcing food supply chains to rethink sourcing and holding strategies as harvest disruptions ripple into ingredients and downstream costs. GLP-1 Impact Watch: Snack makers are reacting to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs as early signals suggest shifting demand and product strategy needs. Housing Meets Daily Life: Spain’s coalition backs a ban on evictions until 2030 after protests over an 87-year-old’s removal—an issue that could also affect household spending patterns. Tourism & Dining Boost: San Diego Comic-Con Malaga (Oct 1–4) is expected to lift hotel occupancy and spill spending into restaurants and bars across the Costa del Sol. New Low-Price Spanish Bar: Harts Group’s Los Primos opens in Borough Yards with cañas at £2.50 and classic tapas, aiming at value-focused diners.

Housing & Tenants: Spain’s coalition government has agreed new housing measures after protests over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid, including a ban on evictions until 2030, contract rollovers until 2028, and tighter rules on short-term rentals plus limits on “vulture funds.” Foodservice & Drinks: Godeo’s Champions Burger 2026 run ends with a double win—Umami Royale named Best Hamburger in Spain and Umami Gold taking Best Hamburger in Europe—while a new Spanish-style bar concept, Los Primos, is set to open in London with £2.50 cañas and churros. Hospitality & Travel: Mallorca’s Alcúdia will host Spain’s “Most Beautiful Villages” assembly this October, and Tenerife is rolling out a push to attract higher-spending British visitors via gastronomy-led familiarisation trips. Industry Watch: PepsiCo plans a US$1bn, five-year investment in Colombia to expand production and modernise plants, with distribution strengthening. Global Food Systems: El Niño is already forcing top chefs to rewrite menus as droughts, floods and heat disrupt supply chains.

Housing Crisis Policy: Spain’s coalition government has agreed new measures to tackle the housing emergency, including banning evictions until 2030 and pushing rent-freeze/lease-renewal protections after the highly public case of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, with further steps still needing parliamentary backing. Food & Drink Awards: Córdoba burger brand Godeo ends its Champions Burger 2026 run with a double win—Umami Royale named Best Hamburger in Spain and Umami Gold crowned Best Hamburger in Europe. Hospitality & F&B Openings: Harts Group is bringing a Spanish-style walk-in bar to Borough Yards in London, with £2.50 cañas and tapas plus churros-for-breakfast. Tourism & Spending: Lorca’s 2026 fair drew nearly half a million visitors and stayed peaceful, though hoteliers say spend per customer in bars/restaurants is softer amid higher costs. Security Incident: A man was seriously injured in a stabbing at Barcelona’s Casa Fuster five-star hotel; police say his life isn’t in danger and an investigation is ongoing. Sustainability Tech: Carbios reports successful industrial-scale production of recycled polyester T-shirts from complex textile and plastic waste, validated across the value chain.

Tequila Boom in Spain: Spain is drinking more tequila than ever, with 7M+ litres arriving last year—up sharply from 2021—fuelled by big brands and a surge in interest in mezcalotecas and small-batch agave spirits. Tourism Spend Push (Tenerife): Turismo de Tenerife is courting higher-spending British and European travellers via a six-day fam trip focused on luxury stays, golf, gastronomy and premium experiences, not just sun-and-beach. Fresh Produce Deal (Spain): Torribas is integrating with Cádiz-based Finca El Tractor to add 200 hectares, strengthen sweet potato supply, expand into crops like carrots, and extend production across Spain to manage climate risk. Foodservice Habit Shift (Spain): A report on tipping shows Spain’s diners tip less than the US, and card-terminal “tip prompts” are widely viewed as inappropriate—highlighting how payment tech is reshaping restaurant culture. World Cup Fame vs Privacy: While not food-focused, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha’s viral fame is driving a wider conversation about public life—relevant for hospitality and venues dealing with celebrity footfall.

Tourism Policy & Costs: A new wave of “visitor levies” is spreading, with England giving mayors power to impose overnight charges; the debate is familiar for hospitality and food operators, since fees can raise visitor costs even as cities argue they fund sustainability and local projects. Climate & Menus: Chefs are already adapting to El Niño disruptions, from shifting ingredients to reworking menus as droughts, floods and heat hit supply chains. Spain Tourism Targeting: Tenerife is running a familiarisation push aimed at higher-spending British and European travellers, spotlighting luxury stays, golf and gastronomy to move beyond pure sun-and-beach demand. Food & Drink Trends in Spain: Tequila consumption in Spain keeps climbing, with new “mezcaloteca” culture and more small-batch agave spirits gaining traction; meanwhile, World Poke Day coverage highlights salmon poke as a mainstream, health-forward bowl choice. Fresh Produce Deal: Torribas is integrating with Cádiz-based Finca El Tractor to expand sweet potato output and add rotation crops like carrots, broccoli and beetroot—aiming for steadier supply and longer production windows. Global Food Trade: Egypt’s food exports hit a record $5.128bn in Jan–Aug 2026, with Spain among the fastest-growing destinations (up 107%), driven by oils, feed and processed/pickled olives.

Tourism & Overtourism Costs: Barcelona is among cities raising tourist taxes and levies, with the Financial Times flagging wider moves across Europe (including Spain) that boost local revenue but mostly add to visitor costs. Climate & Fine-Dining Supply: A record El Niño is pushing top chefs to rethink menus as droughts, floods and heatwaves disrupt ingredients and transport—Spain’s Valencia region is cited among areas hit by extreme weather. Wine & RTD Innovation: Campo Viejo launches Campo Viejo Sangria Spritz in Australia, a 4.5% ABV wine-based ready-to-drink can aimed at summer refreshment. Sherry Revival: Gen-Z is driving a sherry comeback, with the Consejo Regulador backing new, more approachable formats and events ahead of Sherry Week (2–8 Nov). Hospitality Expansion in Valencia: Hilton plans Cuber House Valencia (Curio Collection) in El Cabanyal, adding a new restaurant and rooftop leisure focus when it opens in Dec 2026. Local Food Culture in Lanzarote: Txoko Teguise opens in Costa Teguise, blending Navarrese and Lanzarote flavours via a society-inspired concept. Food Prices vs Pay: Euronews Business reports food costs rising faster than minimum wages in Spain and France, underlining pressure on households. Spain Crime Spillover to Tourism: Police arrest three British suspects after a Costa del Sol beach shooting near Estepona, a reminder of how safety concerns can ripple into travel sentiment. Food & Travel Inspiration: Lonely Planet’s 2027 picks spotlight off-the-beaten-path destinations with strong food and culture angles, feeding the “discover more” travel mood.