With the aim of strengthening international alliances against a backdrop of continued geopolitical instability, the European Commission is stepping up trade negotiations across different regions. One of its key areas of focus is ASEAN, which is already the EU’s third-largest trading partner outside Europe and offers significant potential for growth and consumption, according to the European Commission.
Within ASEAN, the EU currently has trade agreements in force with Vietnam and Singapore, which so far constitute the main regulatory frameworks governing trade flows, including agri-food products.
Indonesia has also joined this group following the conclusion of negotiations in September 2025, after almost a decade of talks. The agreement provides for the elimination of tariffs on most bilateral trade, including broad categories of agri-food products, while maintaining protections and quotas for products considered particularly sensitive.
Following the conclusion of negotiations, the agreement with Indonesia has entered the lengthy ratification process. The first step is the formal signing by both parties, which the European Commission expects to take place before the end of 2026, according to information presented at the latest meeting of the Advisory Committee on Trade Negotiations, held in June and attended by FEPEX.
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At the same time, the European Commission is making progress in negotiations for new free trade agreements with the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia, which are now at a very advanced stage. According to the Commission, these agreements could be concluded in the short term as part of the EU’s strategy to strengthen trade relations with Southeast Asia.
Spanish fruit and vegetable trade with ASEAN remains limited
In the fruit and vegetable sector, Spain’s trade with ASEAN countries remains very limited, although Singapore is showing some momentum. Spain exported 928 tonnes of fruit and vegetables worth €3.7 million to Singapore in 2025, according to data from the Spanish Customs and Excise Department processed by FEPEX.
Singapore was followed by Malaysia, with Spanish fruit and vegetable exports totalling 740 tonnes worth €1.9 million.
Sales to the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam were much smaller. Spain exported 41 tonnes to Vietnam, 5 tonnes to Thailand and 2 tonnes to the Philippines.
