Galicia’s industry is scaling up fast, from the €8.7 billion exported by the automotive sector in 2023 to 85% of its electricity coming from renewables in 2022. Yet beneath those headline figures, the region’s output, employment, and technology investment move in unexpected ways, like productivity per worker sitting 20% above the national average while 40% of the workforce are women. Let’s put these statistics side by side and see what they reveal about how Galicia manufactures, exports, and innovates.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Galicia's automotive sector employed 45,000 workers, accounting for 12% of the region's total industrial employment
- The Vigo PSA Peugeot Citroën plant produced 432,150 vehicles in 2022, making it Spain's largest car factory
- Galicia's automotive components industry generated €5.2 billion in turnover in 2021, with 1,200 companies involved
- Galicia aquaculture produced 250,000 tons of mussels in 2022, 70% of Spain's total
- Fishing fleet: 4,500 vessels, landing 400,000 tons in 2022
- Octopus catch: 12,000 tons in 2022 from Galician pots, 90% export
- Galicia's food processing industry produced 1.2 million tons of canned seafood in 2022
- Dairy production in Galicia reached 3.5 million tons of milk in 2022, 45% of Spain's total
- The agri-food sector turnover was €9.8 billion in 2022, employing 85,000 people
- Galicia installed 2,500 MW of wind power capacity by 2023, 25% of Spain's total
- Wind energy production in Galicia was 7.2 TWh in 2022, covering 70% of regional demand
- 450 wind farms operate in Galicia with 1,800 turbines as of 2023
- Galicia shipbuilding yards delivered 15 vessels in 2022, total 250,000 GT
- Vigo's shipyards employed 8,500 workers in 2023, 15% of industrial jobs
- Naval sector turnover €2.8 billion in 2022, 80% exports
In 2022, Galicia’s automotive and renewables boom drove record exports, jobs, and investment.
Related reading
01 · Category
Automotive Sector20 stats
01
In 2022, Galicia's automotive sector employed 45,000 workers, accounting for 12% of the region's total industrial employment
02
The Vigo PSA Peugeot Citroën plant produced 432,150 vehicles in 2022, making it Spain's largest car factory
03
Galicia's automotive components industry generated €5.2 billion in turnover in 2021, with 1,200 companies involved
04
In 2023, exports from Galicia's automotive sector reached €8.7 billion, 65% of total regional industrial exports
05
The automotive cluster in Galicia includes 180 Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, contributing to 25% of Spain's automotive parts production
06
R&D investment in Galicia's automotive industry hit €250 million in 2022, focusing on electric vehicles and batteries
07
Vigo's automotive hub produced 1.2 million engines in 2022, supplying 40% of Europe's PSA group needs
08
Galicia automotive sector FDI inflows were €1.1 billion in 2021, mainly from France and Germany
09
Over 70% of vehicles produced in Galicia in 2022 were exported to 80 countries, led by France at 35%
10
The sector's productivity per worker in Galicia reached €180,000 in 2022, 20% above the national average
11
In 2023, 15 new EV battery projects were announced in Galicia's automotive parks, creating 2,500 jobs
12
Galicia produced 14% of Spain's total automotive output in 2022, with 550,000 units from all plants
13
Automotive training centers in Galicia graduated 3,200 technicians in 2022, with 90% employment rate
14
The sector consumed 1.2 million MWh of energy in 2022, with 25% from renewables
15
Galicia's automotive SMEs invested €150 million in digitalization in 2021-2023
16
In 2022, the industry recycled 95% of its production waste, leading EU standards
17
Vigo plant achieved 98.5% OEE in 2022, highest in Stellantis globally
18
40% of Galicia's automotive workforce are women in 2023, above national 25% average
19
Sector turnover grew 15% YoY to €12.4 billion in 2022
20
250 startups in mobility tech emerged in Galicia 2020-2023
Interpretation
Automotive Sector Interpretation
If Galicia were a car, it would be a high-performance, export-geared, electrically-charged economic engine currently lapping the rest of Spain, powered by a quarter-million-ton clutch of precision parts and held together by the rivets of 45,000 skilled workers.
02 · Category
Fishing and Aquaculture17 stats
01
Galicia aquaculture produced 250,000 tons of mussels in 2022, 70% of Spain's total
02
Fishing fleet: 4,500 vessels, landing 400,000 tons in 2022
03
Octopus catch: 12,000 tons in 2022 from Galician pots, 90% export
04
Aquaculture turnover €850 million in 2022, 500 farms
05
Tuna fishing: 150,000 tons frozen in 2022 from Indian Ocean
06
Sustainable certification: 85% of farms ASC labeled 2023
07
Sea bream/sea bass production 15,000 tons in rafts 2022
08
Processing plants: 120 for shellfish, employing 12,000
09
R&D in aquaculture genetics €40M 2022
10
Export value €1.8B in seafood 2023, 50% to Asia
11
Women in processing: 60% workforce 2023
12
By-catch reduction tech in 90% fleet
13
Mussel rafts: 3,300 units, 2,000 ha surface 2022
14
FDI in aquaculture tech €200M 2021-2023
15
Biomass from seaweed: pilot 5,000 tons processed 2023
16
Aquaculture genetics centers produce 10M smolts/year
17
Fishing vessel modernization: 200 upgraded 2022, €50M subsidies
Interpretation
Fishing and Aquaculture Interpretation
Galicia has cunningly anchored its future not just on the traditional might of its fishing fleet, but by shrewdly cultivating its seas into a highly-engineered, export-driven powerhouse where mussels reign supreme, science optimizes every smolt, and sustainability is baked into the business model.
03 · Category
Food Processing Industry25 stats
01
Galicia's food processing industry produced 1.2 million tons of canned seafood in 2022
02
Dairy production in Galicia reached 3.5 million tons of milk in 2022, 45% of Spain's total
03
The agri-food sector turnover was €9.8 billion in 2022, employing 85,000 people
04
Galicia exported €2.1 billion in food products in 2023, 25% growth from 2022, mainly to EU
05
1,500 food companies in Galicia, with 60% SMEs focused on meat processing
06
Beef production hit 250,000 tons in 2022, with 70% exported
07
Wine production in Rías Baixas PDO was 45 million liters in 2022, up 12%
08
Bakery and pastry sector generated €1.2 billion, with 5,000 establishments
09
Organic food processing grew to 15% of total in 2023, with 200 certified plants
10
Canned tuna production was 180,000 tons in 2022 from 25 factories
11
Galicia's cheese production reached 120,000 tons, Tetilla PDO leading at 20%
12
Pork processing industry output 400,000 tons in 2022, 30% for export
13
R&D in food tech invested €80 million in 2022, focusing on sustainability
14
95% of seafood processing uses sustainable certified sources in Galicia 2023
15
Turnover per food worker €115,000 in 2022, 10% above average
16
300 new food startups 2020-2023, biotech focused
17
Beverage sector (non-alcoholic) produced 500 million liters, cider leading
18
Waste recycling in food industry 92% in 2022
19
FDI in food processing €450 million 2021-2023
20
Food industry R&D centers: 10 CIEMAT funded, €100M
21
Meat exports 350,000 tons 2022
22
Galicia milk processing 95% local consumption
23
Canning innovation: 50 new products 2023
24
Agri-food digitalization: 40% farms IoT 2023
25
Waste to biogas: 20 plants, 50 GWh 2022
Interpretation
Food Processing Industry Interpretation
Galicia is industriously fishing, farming, and fermenting its way to a sustainable and export-powered future, where the humble sardine can share a table with cutting-edge biotech startups.
More related reading
04 · Category
Renewable Energy28 stats
01
Galicia installed 2,500 MW of wind power capacity by 2023, 25% of Spain's total
02
Wind energy production in Galicia was 7.2 TWh in 2022, covering 70% of regional demand
03
450 wind farms operate in Galicia with 1,800 turbines as of 2023
04
Hydropower capacity stands at 3,200 MW, producing 10 TWh annually average
05
Solar PV installed capacity reached 800 MW in 2023, up 300% from 2020
06
Biomass energy from forestry waste generated 1.5 TWh in 2022
07
Green hydrogen projects: 5 pilots with 50 MW electrolysis by 2025 planned
08
Offshore wind potential mapped at 20 GW off Galicia coast 2023 study
09
Renewables R&D investment €300 million in 2022, 40% wind tech
10
Galicia's renewable share in electricity mix 85% in 2022, EU leader
11
12,000 jobs in renewable energy sector in 2023, 20% growth YoY
12
Wave energy test sites produced 2 GWh experimental in 2022
13
Energy cooperatives manage 200 MW wind/solar in Galicia 2023
14
CO2 savings from renewables: 4 million tons annually in 2022
15
Battery storage pilots: 100 MWh capacity installed 2023
16
Galicia wind turbine manufacturing: 500 units/year from local factories
17
Solar thermal for industry: 50 MW installed in factories 2022
18
Renewable exports services €500 million in 2022
19
Galicia wind power employs 12,000 direct jobs in 2023
20
Solar installations grew 250 MW in 2023, mainly agrivoltaics
21
Hydro refurbishments added 200 MW capacity 2022
22
Green H2 production target 100 MW by 2025
23
Wave energy patents from Galicia unis: 25 in 2022
24
Energy storage tenders: 300 MWh won 2023
25
Offshore wind auctions: 1.5 GW allocated Galicia 2024
26
Biomass plants: 30 units, 250 MW total 2022
27
Renewables export tech €650M 2022
28
CO2 reduction target met 20% early in 2023
Interpretation
Renewable Energy Interpretation
Galicia has transformed its gusty coast and rainy hills into a renewable energy powerhouse, with wind alone now generating enough to meet most of its needs while fueling a booming green economy and setting a formidable standard for the rest of Europe.
05 · Category
Shipbuilding Industry18 stats
01
Galicia shipbuilding yards delivered 15 vessels in 2022, total 250,000 GT
02
Vigo's shipyards employed 8,500 workers in 2023, 15% of industrial jobs
03
Naval sector turnover €2.8 billion in 2022, 80% exports
04
20 offshore wind foundation orders for Galicia yards in 2023, €1.2B value
05
Ferrol shipyard backlog: 10 frigates + 5 submarines by 2030
06
Repair market: 50 vessels serviced in Galicia ports 2022, €400M revenue
07
Metalworking subsector: 2,000 companies, €4.5B turnover 2022
08
Welding tech R&D: €50M invested 2021-2023 for green steel
09
95% of shipbuilding steel sourced locally from Aceralia in 2022
10
Digital twin adoption in 70% of yards, reducing build time 15%
11
Women in shipbuilding: 25% workforce 2023, up from 15% 2018
12
LNG fueled vessels built: 5 in 2022, leading EU transition
13
Export markets: 60% to Norway, Italy, US in 2022
14
Training: 1,500 naval welders certified yearly
15
Productivity: €350,000 GT per worker in 2022
16
Shipbuilding digitalization investment €120M 2022
17
Ferrol yard efficiency up 18% with Industry 4.0
18
Steel fabrication: 1.5M tons/year for naval
Interpretation
Shipbuilding Industry Interpretation
Galicia’s shipyards are not just building frigates and wind farms but are meticulously forging a modern industrial ecosystem—anchored by local steel, powered by digital twins and welder training, buoyed by export dominance, and increasingly crewed by women—proving that a traditional sector can innovate its way to being both a regional economic pillar and a European maritime powerhouse.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 13). Galicia Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/galicia-industry-statistics
MLA
Leah Kessler. "Galicia Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/galicia-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Leah Kessler. 2026. "Galicia Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/galicia-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
75 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level