The document places the accumulated turnover of the entire value chain in the sector at 4,223 million euros in 2024the last year available with homogeneous data at the close of the study, 36.8% more than in 2020. The analysis is based on a perimeter of 254 companies.
The presentation was held on November 13 at the headquarters of the General Council of Economists, within the AFEPADI 2026 Conference, inaugurated by the president of the CGE, Miguel Ángel Vázquez Taínand the president of AFEPADI, Monica Gispert. The presentation of the results has been carried out by the director of the CGE Studies Service and co-director of the study, Salvador Marin.
Employment in the sector grows by 15.2% to 11,437 people
The analysis reflects a sector of relevant size and with a moderate business concentration. The four companies with the highest turnover concentrate less than a fifth of the activity. Between 2020 and 2024, turnover grew at an average annual rate of 8.1%. In that same period, gross value added (GVA) increased by 28.2%, to 1,093 million euros, and employment increased by 15.2%, reaching 11,437 people.
In light of these results, Monica Gispertpresident of AFEPADI, highlighted that “This study represents an important step for the sector, because it allows us to have a more precise vision of its economic dimension, its contribution to employment and its international projection. Having data is essential to understand the reality of an activity that until now was difficult to measure specifically, identify its challenges and continue working to boost its competitiveness and sustainable development”.
For its part, Miguel Ángel Vázquez Taínpresident of the General Council of Economists of Spain, has indicated that “This report can be described as pioneering due to its methodology and the specific delimitation of the “business to business” sector, which lacks its own exclusive CNAE. However, its usefulness must go beyond the economic diagnosis of the sector. In a context marked by uncertainty, which generates risks, but also opportunities, it is essential that both business decisions and public policies are supported by verified information, and we consider this report to be so. For this reason, from the General Council of Economists and AFEPADI we trust that it will contribute to promoting dialogue and collaboration between companies, sector associations and public administrations, so that shared priorities can be established and move towards consensual solutions that help overcome the identified obstacles and favor the development of opportunities in the sector.
Manufacturing grows 74%
Of the four links identified in the value chain (ingredients, manufacturing, distribution and retail), distribution leads the billing, with 57.7% of the total in 2024, while manufacturing presents the greatest growth, with a sales increase of 74.1% between 2020 and 2024.
Regarding consumption habits, the study identifies an evolution towards patterns associated with daily well-being. According to the data collected, seven out of ten adults would have consumed food supplements in the last year.
Spain gains positions in international trade
Spain has strengthened its position in international trade. Between 2013 and 2023, Spanish exports of the tariff category used as reference grew by 127.3%, compared to the 76.9% recorded by world trade in that same category.
This differential has allowed Spain advances from 15th to 11th place among exporting countries. Furthermore, the trade balance remained in surplus throughout the analyzed period.
The evolution of productivity presents differences depending on business size. Between 2020 and 2024, real GVA per employee for the sector as a whole decreased by 5.1%, while in the medium-sized company it increased by 1%. In the same period, the aggregate operating margin went from 11.9% to 10.4%. The study indicates innovation and external dependence in the supply of vitamins and plant extracts as the main challenges.
Growth scenarios until 2030
Taking as reference the evolution recorded between 2020 and 2024, during the presentation of the study Salvador Marín indicated that the CGE Studies Service has proposed different growth scenarios. In them, the accumulated turnover of all companies in the value chain attributed to the sector could be between 5,070 and 5,755 million euros in 2030, at constant 2024 prices.
In these same scenarios, the Spanish market at retail price, which exclusively measures final spending in Spain, would be between 2,420 and 2,745 million euros.
Reaching the upper end of the range will depend on both external factors, such as regulatory evolution or the cost of imported raw materialsas well as business decisions related to investment in scientific evidence and product protection, reducing dependence on distant suppliersthe use of the digital channel and the recommendation of health professionals.
Source: www.pharmatech.es
