The invention relates to a catalyst composite for preparing abietate and application thereof in the preparation of abietate. The catalyst composite comprises the following components in percentage by weight: first component: 0.01 to 2 percent of iodine and compound thereof; second component: 0.01 and 1 percent of iron powder and iron-contained compound and zinc powder and zinc-contained compound;third component: 97 to 99.98 percent of micromolecule organic compound for providing acitive hydrogen. When in use, the catalyst composite is reacted with rosin under the heating condition, and then distillation, esterification and the like are undertaken on the processed rosin. The color of the prepared abietate can reach water white, and the color and the heat stability of the prepared abietateare excellent.