Under the theme “The Food Industry: 15 Years Feeding the World”, Agrifood Comunicación held a new edition of Agrifood Talks in Madrid. The forum analyzed the evolution of the sector over the past fifteen years and identified the key drivers shaping its immediate future: innovation, digitalization, internationalization, and reputation.
The event was opened by Clemente Mata Tapia, Deputy Director General for Food Chain Competitiveness at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), who emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to innovation, training, and sustainability as strategic pillars for strengthening the competitiveness of Spain’s food system.
A roundtable titled “Innovation, Digitalization, Internationalization, and Reputation” featured speakers Roberto Ortuño (AINIA), Manuel Láinez (Fundación Cajamar), Rafael Pico (Asoliva), Lourdes Zuriaga (APAE), and María Naranjo (ICEX). The panelists agreed that technological innovation and digitalization are now essential tools to enhance efficiency, ensure traceability, and strengthen sustainability across the food system.
They also stressed that internationalization will remain the main engine of growth, alongside the need to enhance sector reputation through transparency, effective communication, and public-private collaboration.
Experts concluded that the sector is at a critical juncture to consolidate its leadership by accelerating digital transformation in SMEs, promoting knowledge transfer and specialized training, and scaling up circular models that integrate innovation, energy efficiency, and by-product valorization.
The combination of innovation, sustainability, talent, and reputation will be key to sustaining international growth and reinforcing the industry’s role as an economic, social, and territorial driver.
Looking ahead to 2030, the goal is clear: lower environmental impact, greater added value, and stronger exports.
Foto: Qcom.com
