Agrobank has organized the perspectives and opportunities of the day in the Spanish agricultural sector in the international market on Thursday in Cordoba, bringing together exceptional experts and professionals with over 300 participants. The meeting served as a forum for the exchange of sustainability, innovation, and competitiveness in a global context, emphasizing the Spanish economy’s growth potential and strategic importance in international projection.
During the opening, the territorial director of Caixabank in Andalucia, Juan Ignacio Zafra, revealed the challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural sector, emphasizing internationalization as a future driver while highlighting Agrobank’s commitment to the agricultural sector in Andalusia. «We are a strategic ally of Andalusian farmers, offering common solutions to face current and future challenges,» he said.
Additionally, the territorial director thanked the speakers and participants for their daily work, stating that «it deserves all support and recognition because their contribution is essential for the sector’s internationalization.» The day featured a presentation on «Public Policies: Challenges and Opportunities for the Sector,» offered by the Director General of the Business Agency for Development and Economic Development (Commerce), Antonio Castro, who outlined the agency’s assistance tools specifically aimed at the agricultural sector in Andalusia.
He emphasized the current incentive offering, totaling 244 million euros, co-financed with Feder and directed towards SMEs, considering the agri-food industry in both R&D+I and the creation of businesses and industrial development projects. «These incentives will be complemented by venture capital funds, as well as new stimulation lines, the closest of which will be support for the internationalization of Andalusian companies,» he said.
### Support from Andalusian Trade
In this regard, the new internationalization assistance model designed by Andalusia Commerce, with a total budget of 63 million euros for 2027 between services and incentives, is employed in the development of three strategic lines: the previous stimulation line, with a budget of up to 11.5 million until 2027 and to be operational in the first half of 2025; The expansion of the Andalusian international trade network, which already offers services in 75 countries across five continents (42 headquarters in 40 countries) and some assistance services for the internationalization of companies, including information, training, consulting, and particularly tailored promotion programs.
In 2024, the responsible agency had «1,007 agro companies participate in 367 actions to support the sector’s internationalization organized by the trade, equivalent to half of our portfolio users.» «It is the best sign that the agri-food industry is an essential part of Andalusia’s commercial activity,» he said.
Castro also introduced a new service aimed at increasing the number of intermediate dimensions in Andalusia, many of them in the agricultural sector. «For these companies, which are not adequately supported by public support policies, we will launch the Andalucía Midmarket Commercial Club, with a range of incentives and services tailored to their varied needs to support their access to alternative markets, facilitate access to self-financing funds. We are advancing services that meet their needs.»
### Keys to Improvement
There was also a roundtable discussion on the sector’s situation, moderated by journalist Elisa Plumed, with prominent experts discussing the key factors for improving the sector’s internationalization. Angel Camacho, CEO of the Angel Camacho group; Ana Cano, CEO of Eurosemillas SA; Rafael Sánchez de Puerta, General Manager of DCOOP; and Enrique de Los Ríos, General Manager of Grupo Unica, addressed current issues such as the impact of geopolitical uncertainty, climate change, digitalization, and new consumption habits, among others.
Jaime Campos, the director of Agrobank, who closed the day, conducted an analysis of the current situation and emphasized the importance of digitalization and innovation for the future of the agri-food industry in Spain, highlighting how these tools can enhance the sector’s competitiveness and sustainability. He also noted that «Agrobank’s transformation of this strategic sector for our economy with a proposal based on three pillars is compatible with: financial, social, and innovation.»
### Agrobank and Its Commitment
Agrobank facilitated the agri-food chain with 7.242 billion euros in 2024, representing a 30.7% increase compared to the previous year. Nationwide, the figure amounts to 33.548 billion euros in financing, an 18% increase compared to the 28.441 billion provided in 2023. Caixabank’s specialized agri-food sector line has 1,140 specialized offices distributed throughout Spain, with 350 in Andalusia.
The Caixabank business line for the agri-food sector has approximately half a million clients, meaning that one in every two farmers and breeders in Spain is an Agrobank customer. In Andalusia, this figure rises to 213,000. Their business model is implemented by specialized managers, professionals with specific training in the peculiarities of a highly heterogeneous sector in crops and animals, and thus in financial needs.
Agrobank is the leading financial entity in the agri-food sector in Spain, serving 500,000 clients, with more than one in every two farmers and breeders in Spain being a client. Their value proposition involves a commitment to the rural world in financial, social, and innovation aspects, articulated by three pillars.
In the financial pillar, Agrobank’s commitment entails facilitating the entire agricultural chain with over 33.5 billion euros in financing by 2024. In this regard, they have 1,140 specialized offices and managers distributed throughout Spain.
In the social and online pillar, in line with their commitment to the rural world, Agrobank is deeply involved in helping overcome some of the sector’s major challenges. To address the necessary generational relief, the «AGR Impulse» initiative was launched in collaboration with the BASC Culinary Center.
Likewise, they show support for diversity and the role of women in rural areas through various initiatives, including the «Juntas Greise» program in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, or the «Woman, Company, and Rural World» program with the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM). The president of the University of Lleida of the University of Lleida.
And in the innovation and sustainability pillar, they contribute to enhancing the sector’s transformation. Therefore, Agrobank has launched a new edition of «Agrobank Tech Digital Innovation.» With this initiative, the entity positions itself as the leading reference for providing technological solutions. To support this entire value proposition, the entity launched Agrobank Hub.
FUENTE