«Barcelona, the city that turns perfume into a global industry» by Eva Lluch
Barcelona has spent decades building an international brand associated with architecture, design, gastronomy, and culture. However, there are strategic sectors that are also part of the city’s economic and creative identity but still occupy a smaller place in its global narrative. The perfume industry is one of them.
The Barcelona Olfaction Weekwhich has just concluded its 2026 edition, has precisely demonstrated this potential. Over seven days, the city became a vast sensory map, with experiences spread across venues such as the Palau Güell, the CCCB, Casa Vicens, the Palau de la Música, and Park Güell. Perfume moved beyond its strictly commercial circuit to engage in dialogue with the city’s architecture, art, and memory.
The Poble Espanyol was also one of the main highlights, with “Un recorregut olfactori per Espanya”, an experience that combined workshops, guided tours, and sensory activities to discover the country through fragrances. Most importantly, this initiative will remain active throughout the year, consolidating a long-term project that connects tourism, culture, and perfumery from Barcelona.
The cultural dimension of the week was also complemented by meetings and presentations that strengthen the link between perfume and knowledge, such as the presentation of the book "El cercador d’essències. Un viatge a l’origen dels perfums del món” by Dominique Roques at Llibreria Altaïr, which brings perfumery closer to its more humanistic, historical, and cultural dimension, and helps place it at the centre of contemporary debate.
Because speaking about perfume today means speaking about creativity, but also about industry, innovation, science, and international projection.
Spain currently maintains its position as the world’s second-largest exporter of perfumes and fragrances, with more than €10.124 billion in exports in 2025. In addition, the sector grew by 9.5% over the past year and already represents 21% of the national beauty market. Behind these figures lies a reality that is particularly linked to Catalonia, as much of this leadership stems from Catalan family-owned companies that have spent decades building expertise, industry, and export capacity.
We also see it at Lluch Essence, a family-owned company dedicated to the global distribution of aromatic raw materials and now in its fourth generation. This continuity helps explain much of the strength of the Catalan perfumery ecosystem, made up of companies with deep roots and an international mindset.
Barcelona currently brings together manufacturers, perfumers, distributors, laboratories, and creatives in a complete value chain that makes the city a European benchmark in the sector.
In this context, the Barcelona Perfumery Congress represents far more than a professional event. The 7th edition, scheduled for June 2027, will be held for the first time at the Fira de Barcelona, reflecting the growth and international scale the congress has achieved. Beyond its size, what is most significant is the conversation it fosters around sustainability, fragrance creation, new raw materials, and global consumer trends. Perfume is no longer just a sensory industry; it is also a technological, scientific, and strategic one. At a time when cities compete to attract talent, investment, and international influence, Barcelona needs to strengthen those sectors where it holds real competitive advantages. Perfumery is one of them, as it combines industry, creativity, export capacity, and cultural projection in a way that is difficult to replicate.
The Barcelona Olfaction Week and the Barcelona Perfumery Congress are two expressions of the same reality, as there is a solid, international ecosystem with the capacity to generate both economic and reputational value for the city.
Barcelona has spent years presenting itself to the world through what can be seen. Perhaps it is time to do so also through what can be felt. And few things remain in the memory as powerfully as a scent.
