Transformació
The agri-food sector is the second most important industry in Catalonia and the leader in terms of turnover and jobs. The AMB is home to many of the head offices of the major domestic and international agri-food companies and a world-class food cluster.
It is a sector in which large companies coexist alongside SMEs and where processing also encompasses the primary and wholesale industries. There is a diverse range of businesses in the metropolitan area of Barcelona including raw material manufacturers (flavourings, oils, additives), enterprises in various food sectors (fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, beverages, dairy products, pastries, chocolates, coffee and tea, baby food and nutrition and packaged ready-to-eat fresh and prepared foods), the food tech segment, packaging, refrigeration, furniture, equipment and electrical appliances for the hotel industry.
Local produce
Artichokes and ‘pota blava' chicken from El Prat de Llobregat, asparagus from Gavà and cherries from Torrelles de Llobregat are just some of the outstanding local foodstuffs in the AMB. Likewise, the cultivation of Mandó tomatoes, which are native to the area, was resumed in Collserola National Park since 2011.
However, the range of metropolitan foodstuffs with some kind of recognition is even more extensive according to the Ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda's Local Produce Inventory:
Produce of Collserola (in Catalan)
However, the range of metropolitan foodstuffs with some kind of recognition is even more extensive according to the Ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda's Local Produce Inventory:
- El Prat chicken and capon: they have a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and are animals with fine, lean, tender meat.
- El Prat artichoke: this is the flagship vegetable in the fields of the Llobregat River delta covering more than 500 hectares. It is soft, tender and rich in B vitamins.
- Gavà white asparagus: this vegetable is thin, tasty and slightly bitter.
- Baix Llobregat cherries: Sant Climent de Llobregat is the capital of this sweet, firm-fleshed fruit.
- Baix Llobregat chard, especially from L'Hospitalet: this is one of the most popular vegetables in Catalonia and a good source of vitamins and nutrients.
- Baix Llobregat leeks: less well known than artichokes and asparagus, this vegetable has recently carved out its own distinctive reputation.
- Mandó tomato: this variety of tomato has been grown for generations on Can Mandó farm in Collserola and has been revived in 2011 in partnership with the Miquel Agustí Foundation.
- Tangerines: Can Carlets is the only tangerine farm in the Collserola mountain range. There is no record of any other tangerine crop so far north or so close to a large built-up area like Barcelona.
- Kid: these free-range animals of the Rasquera breed are raised under organic farming principles. They are reared at Can Puig farm.
- Honey: La Rural and Melvida harvest honey from the mountains to sustainable beekeeping standards.
- Wine: Can Calopa de Dalt is the only vineyard in Barcelona; it is run by the L'Olivera cooperative which works with people at risk of social exclusion.
Produce of Collserola (in Catalan)
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Industry
The metropolis of Barcelona is essentially a consumer region, in part due to its high population density. Agricultural land accounts for just 6 % of its total area, yet it nevertheless has a robust industrial sector, premium quality local produce and high-value assets for the agri-food industry, including Mercabarna, its municipal markets, culinary range and outstanding international connections which make it an international logistics hub.
The metropolitan area is home to large agri-food and beverage multinationals but has few production sites. However, it is a segment that generates more than €5 billion in gross value added (GVA), encompasses more than 53,600 economic activities and employs more than 236,000 people. The primary sector is the least significant, while industry plays a relatively small role.
The National Social Security Institute reports that there are two economic activities directly linked to the food industries which the Statistical Institute of Catalonia describes as follows:
Agri-food exports have grown in recent years, while the volume of imports has stayed much the same. In particular, meat and beverages are exported while soya, oils and fats are imported. Target countries tend to be wealthy, and quality products or services associated with the benefits of the healthy, innovative Mediterranean diet are exported. There are also exports to developing countries.
Business trends
New forms of agri-food business include:
The metropolitan area is home to large agri-food and beverage multinationals but has few production sites. However, it is a segment that generates more than €5 billion in gross value added (GVA), encompasses more than 53,600 economic activities and employs more than 236,000 people. The primary sector is the least significant, while industry plays a relatively small role.
The National Social Security Institute reports that there are two economic activities directly linked to the food industries which the Statistical Institute of Catalonia describes as follows:
- Food product industries: they include making a variety of intermediate products which are not exactly food products, along with associated by-products of varying degrees of value, such as hides and skins from livestock slaughters. This division is set up for activities involving several kinds of products: meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, fats and oils, dairy products, grain mill products, bakery products and pasta, other foodstuffs and animal feed products. Production is either in-house or for third parties.
- Beverage manufacturing: this includes the manufacture of non-alcoholic beverages and mineral water, alcoholic beverages from fermentation, beer, wine and distilled spirits.
Agri-food exports have grown in recent years, while the volume of imports has stayed much the same. In particular, meat and beverages are exported while soya, oils and fats are imported. Target countries tend to be wealthy, and quality products or services associated with the benefits of the healthy, innovative Mediterranean diet are exported. There are also exports to developing countries.
Business trends
New forms of agri-food business include:
- Smokeless cooking for consumption outside the home: this consists of flexibly making pre-cooked or pre-prepared food at external facilities, where specialised chefs serve the food using quality produce via a distribution chain that delivers the pre-cooked food to the site where it is to be eaten on the same day.
- Organic produce and premium produce: they have emerged to cater for the growing interest in healthier eating.
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