Asia has overtaken the Americas to become Galicia’s second-biggest supplier. Last year, imports from Asia reached 4.354 billion euros, almost twice their pre-pandemic level. Imports in the first half of 2026 were already close to 2.3 billion euros. The figures point to a shift in where Galician industry is looking for growth, marked by the launch of the Oficina Económica de Galicia in Asia.
The effort is led by María Jesús Lorenzana, the conselleira de Economía e Industria. She chose Tokyo and the Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro) for the office’s first international event. Her message was direct: Asia is no longer some far-off market. It is now a basic arena for Galician companies seeking growth and ability to recover. The Xunta de Galicia says it is committed to building international partnerships and attracting new industrial investment outside Europe.
In May 2026, Spain’s overall goods imports rose by 14.4%, reflecting a nationwide surge in external demand and reliance on foreign suppliers, the Ministerio de Economía, Comercio y Empresa de España said.
China is basic to this shift, accounting for more than half of Galicia’s Asian imports. In 2025, Galicia bought 2.2 billion euros’ worth of goods from China, a 178% increase since 2019. Bangladesh, Cambodia, India and Pakistan have also become impressive suppliers, especially of textiles. Bangladesh alone now sends more clothing to Galicia than Turkey or Portugal. Independent analysis by Faro de Vigo, based on official trade data, confirms the structural change.
Fashion is driving much of the growth. More than half of Galicia’s imports from Asia are textiles, while imports of clothing and accessories rose 23% to 1.46 billion euros. The region’s fashion industry now relies on Asia as its basic production base, with factories in Bangladesh, China and Cambodia. These suppliers are deeply embedded in Galicia’s supply chain, particularly in textiles.
Textiles are not the whole story. Imports are also climbing across machinery and electrical equipment, alongside car parts. Last year, Galicia bought 489 million euros’ worth of machinery and electrical equipment from Asia, including 251 million euros in electricity accumulators and 101 million euros in phones. The car industry is moving even faster: imports of cars and parts jumped 108% to 223 million euros. The first half of 2026 is already showing another sharp increase.
Seafood and processed fish remain basic to Galicia’s trade identity. Imports from Asia of fish, crustaceans and mollusks reached 259 million euros, up 29%. Canned products came close behind at 255 million euros. Other leading imports include aluminum and mechanical devices, as well as foundry goods and footwear, reflecting the range of Galicia’s industrial demand.
The figures have real-world counterparts. The cannery Albo, now owned by Shanghai Kaichuang International Marine Resources, and CITIC Group’s operations in O Porriño show Asian investment and know-how taking root in Galicia. The expected arrival of SAIC, the Chinese company behind MG cars, in Ferrolterra points to deeper ties ahead.
Exports to Asia are rising too, though more slowly. Last year, Galicia sold 1.116 billion euros’ worth of goods to the region, up 2.4%. The trade gap is wide, but the regional government sees an chance to narrow it. Lorenzana says the goal is to keep building contacts and strengthen institutional ties across Asia. She is convinced the continent offers “many possibilities for growth and expansion for the Galician economy.”
In official communications from September 2026, the Oficina Económica de Galicia highlighted industrial cooperation and investment with Asian partners as a strategic priority. Its stated aim is to diversify Galicia’s economic base and strengthen ability to recover against global supply chain disruptions.
These changes fit a wider pattern across Spain, where Asian brands are gaining ground in industries once led by European companies. As reported earlier, Chinese and American firms are reshaping Spain’s electric vehicle market and pushing traditional brands aside.
Galicia’s turn toward Asia carries risks: the region is more exposed to global supply chain shocks and shifting geopolitics. For Galician industry, the challenge is to turn the momentum into lasting gains by strengthening institutional links and broadening partnerships, while extending the benefits beyond a handful of leading sectors.
