|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
“India's tariff and regulatory measures make it very difficult”
|
|
Monday, 15 April, 2024, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
|
 Invest in Spain is an executive division of ICEX Trade and Investment, a publicly owned business-oriented entity of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business's Secretary of State for Commerce, Spain. Its mission is to promote foreign direct investment (FDI) in Spain and to support business owners and entrepreneurs that want to set up their companies in Spain. María Naranjo Crespo, Director of the Food Industry, ICEX Spain, in a conversation with Manjushree Naik reveals more on the Spanish F&B trade. Excerpts:
Spain has more than 30,000 agri-foodcompanies, including entrepreneurs and multinationals, covering the entire value chain. Explain.
This data is highlighted in the following report on the foodtech sector in Spain https://www.foodswinesfromspain.com/content/dam/en/icex-foodswines/documents/events/foodtech/features/ICEX_Foodtech_2023_25012024_compressed.pdf. Here, we explain the relative importance of the entire value chain and its comparative value with other countries in our environment. A presentation with revealing data of our food industry is also attached.
Spain is the fourth-largest exporter of agri-food products in the European Union. Give us more details.
In the mentioned report the exporting importance of our industry is put in value. In terms of exports it is only behind Germany, France and the Netherlands. We are the first in a good number ofproducts, such as fruit and vegetables; oil or wine (in volume). Spain is also the first country in terms of surface area dedicated to organic production in Europe.
Other interesting data are the specialisation in high value-added products: Spain is the first producer and exporter of truffles in the world or the first producer of organic honey in the EU.
Agri-food is a key industry in the Spanish economy. It is strong and resilient and is the country's leading industry. What kind of investment does it attract?
Foreign investors invest in the whole agri-food chain: in basic materials, such as alfalfa and other crops for animal feed, but also in sectors where our industry has the leadership: wine industry; olive oil or meat.
What is the size of the Spanish agri-food market and how fast is it growing?
The aforementioned report mentions the growth rates. The agri-food industry has grown by around 5% in 2023.
Spain is the fourth-largest agri-food power in Europe and the tenth in the world. What gives this strength to the Spanish agri-food industry?
On the one hand, the diversity of products in the Spanish pantry and, on the other hand, its commitment to exports. More than 58% of Spanish exporting companies export regularly (i.e., for three consecutive years). This rate is double that of the Spanish industry average. Openness to international markets makes the Spanish food industry particularly competitive.
Agri-food products are an essential part of the country's culture and traditions. What kind of agricultural tradition does the country have and to what extent have modern equipment and mechanisation replaced the traditional aspect?
Spain is a particularly diverse country in terms of the crops it has and in terms of its orography. The variety of products in its larder is enormous (livestock; dairy; horticulture...). Spain is one of the countries most exposed to climate change and also one of the most committed to transforming the industry to make it more sustainable and to reduce cropwater stress. New species that are more resistant to climate change are being sought. This makes Spain not only a Food Nation but also a Foodtech Nation. Next generation funds are allowing us to invest in innovation and agritech to improve standards and sustainability throughout the agri-food chain.
Tell us about organic farming in Spain.
Spain is a leading country in organic agriculture. It is the third in the world, behind only the US and China and is the first in the EU. The climatic conditions in Spain are particularly conducive to organic farming and every year the area under cultivation and certification of organic products in our country is increasing.
What kind of import and export relations does Spain maintain with India?
India's tariff and regulatory protection measures with respect to products from third countries make it very difficult to export agri-food products to this market. However, interesting productive investments are taking place (vegetable canning sector, for example), where Spanish technology is very advanced.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|