TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT FOR FOOD INDUSTRY
Referencing the last note of ICEX, dated 2011, we can understand the evolution, present and future of the national food sector through the following analysis of it.
The generic sector of the Spanish food machinery, is qualitatively one of the most reputable in the world, its main subsectors associated with the various types of industries: meat, bakery, dairy, fish, preserves, olive oil and nutritional drinks.
The Spanish offer is characterized by its high production volume, both in raw materials and processed product, besides its demand flexibility and high levels of innovation. However, the size of companies maintains its traditional pattern, with 30% of self-employed and micro-businesses, usually family-type, 65% of SMEs and 5% of large corporations.
In relation to the turnover and the number of companies and food equipment machinery a recovery trend observed since 2009, after a year of decline. In 2010, the turnover of the 212 companies in the sector exceeded 1,082 million euros. Catalonia, Madrid and the Basque Country as main industrial centers.
The trade balance in the sector, negative until 2009, maintains a continuous rise from 2010, its main export markets, by this order, France, Portugal, Egypt, Italy, USA and Morocco.
Regarding investment in I+D+i, note the significant momentum that the industry was forced to take, both for its relevance to the normative standards of the EU, for the new demands of consumers and, most especially, thanks to the increasing internationalization of companies. Developing the T.I.P. is oriented towards technological aspects related to conservation, sanitation and presentation of foodstuffs: high pressures, artificial vision, traceability, food safety, risk prevention, production optimization,
The strengths of our sector relate to the union of tradition and adaptability to new production with high technologic levels and know-how trends. In addition, the Process Engineering has found his niche in food machinery companies, allowing greater innovation and specialization oriented technological demand.
Sector Associations:
- AMEC/ALIMENTEC. Spanish Association of Manufacturers of Machinery for Food Industry. www.amec.es/alimentec
- AMEC/AEFEMAC. Spanish Association of Manufacturers of Machinery for the meat industry and Related. www.amec.es/aefemac
- AMEC/AFESPAN. Spanish Association of Manufacturers of Machinery for Baking. www.amec.es/afespan
Major national trade fairs:
- HISPACK-BTA-TECNOALIMENTARIA. International exhibition of food technology and packaging. Barcelona (Spain) . www.hispack-bta.com
- INTERSICOP. International exhibition of bakery, confectionery and related industries. Madrid (Spain) www.intersicop-madrid.ifema.es
- ENOMAQ. International exhibition of machinery and equipment for warehouses, bottling and oil. Zaragoza (Spain) www.feriazaragoza.com
- CONXEMAR. International trade fair for frozen seafood. Vigo (Spain) www.conxemar.com
Addresses of interest:
- MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, TOURISM AND TRADE www.mityc.es
- TECHNOLOGY CENTRE OF CANNED www.ctnc.es
- INSTITUTE OF FOOD RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY www.irta.es
+info:
Sector Report "Spain: industry machinery and equipment for the food industry". ICEX, 2011. www.spaintechnology.com www.icex.es www.spainbusiness.com