“Pampering” an “essential” space for the economy of Castilla y León and at the same time serving as a “springboard for the future” is the objective objective of the new Strategic Plan for the Food Industry 2024-2028which was presented yesterday by the President of the Council, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, who began his speech by praising a “strategic sector in general for Spain and, in particular, for Castilla y León”. “You are essential to the growth, employment and territorial development of rural areas. “You provide first-class products which make us more competitive and we are proud of your performance,” continued the regional leader, highlighting the weight of agro-industry in the Community’s GDP. And to give further proof of his potential, he recalled that he is “the third most powerful in Spain”, with 14.3 billion euros in business volume -28.08 percent of the national total-, 43,000 direct jobs in more than 3,000 companies and record export figures.
Positioned, the president explained to those present in the auditorium of the Arzobispo Fonseca school in Salamanca -among them a broad representation of the sector- which will be the guidelines of a program that aims to further stimulate activity and employment, modernize the sector and increase exports, continue to promote innovation and strengthen its companies as quality references”, which in fact. today’s world is essential and non-negotiable. »
“We will continue the policy of significant aid for investment in the agri-food industry with 312 million euros for modernization and continue to increase your volume,” promised Mañueco, adding to this “great injection” for the growth of sector other amounts in “innovations”. “, such as the 20 million allocated to “export insurance, certifications and other professional expenses”. Likewise, he explained that the new plan “will multiply” the amount of guaranteed loans, “which could reach two million per year” , with a view to increasing competitiveness.
The regional leader recalled that the sector is made up of large companies “leaders in Spain and Europe”, but also an “extended” network of SMEs which work in the territory “give life to cities”. “You are the essence of our territory,” he declared, before insisting that it is a “priority” sector. “Hence this plan made for you, with you and which is a springboard for the future for those who work in the sector”, he underlined before revealing amounts such as 80 million for promotion, marketing and internationalization of products with in order to increase exports. Among the closest initiatives, the publication this week of calls for aid totaling 30 million stands out: one of them, for investments in aquaculture and fishery products; the other, for companies from León and Palencia included in the just transition fund, in order to “reverse the trend after the closure of the traditional energy sector in the north of these provinces”.
Looking ahead, the launch of a digital platform to improve the functioning of the agri-food chain has advanced. Likewise, he specified that in the first quarter of 2025, an additional 17 million in subsidies will be released, while in the second quarter the new “Terre des Saveurs” plan will be presented. He also committed to allocate more than 13 million during the validity of this program to promote artificial intelligence and for the second half of next year the publication of several decrees to promote direct sales and crafts eating. Finally, he mentioned ten other millions whose destiny will be innovation, development and entrepreneurship thanks to “this great tool” that is Itacyl.
