From technification to sustainability: five key innovators that have transformed the Andalusian agricultural sector

Andalusia was the leader in national exports of fruits and vegetables in 2019. The community reached a historical record in sales of food and beverages abroad during the first eight months of the year. Figures that translate into 7,810 million euros and an increase in exports by almost 5% compared to the same period in 2018.

Not only within our borders. Agro-food exports in Andalusia are also leaders abroad with 96% of their sales to the European Union.

How has the Andalusian Agro sector achieved this extraordinary development?

The sector is betting heavily on new technologies such as sensorization, Bigdata, AI and blockchain

To analyze this historical situation, on November 29 APD brought together the greatest specialists in the field in Almería- Objective? Analyze the fundamental keys to the success of the sector. Conclusions? Here.

The keys to the success of agri-food exports in Andalusia

The forum, which had the support of the Andalusian Business Confederation, Cesce, PwC, Unicaja and the Technological Corporation of Andalusia, served to reach interesting conclusions. Conclusions such as pointing out the five elements that have led to innovation and future tech in a sector-today- leader at the international level.

1. Technification of production

The agri-food industry is experiencing a key stage of transformation . This revolution in the sector is betting on new technologies such as sensorization, Bigdata, AI and blockchain. The new consumption habits and the greater availability of this type of technology have given impetus to this technification.

To stay on the crest of the wave, it is necessary to continue evolving and reacting to new trends. "For this it is important appointments like this in which to be able to share with colleagues in the sector the best success stories and the most innovative bets," said Luis Fernández Prieto , Partner at PwC Andalucía in his presentation .

2. Optimization of logistics

Almería produces more than 25% of the country's vegetables . This success is due to the fact that, in the words of José Cano , President of Asempal, “these are times of change. Almería looks to the future with optimism since it has known how to take advantage of the potential of the area ».

The change in the pattern of consumption has impacted the transformation of production. "Leading this change is no longer an option, and has become a necessity," warned Álvaro Portes , Territorial Director of Cesce.

Efficiency is one of the keys to being a leader in this changing environment

3. Efficiency

Efficiency is one of the keys to being a leader in this changing environment. Companies in the sector are focused on gaining competitiveness and incorporating technologies to gain profitability . The size of the most relevant companies in the agri-food sector in Andalusia remains small.

In the opinion of Juan Carlos Rodríguez , Area Director of Almería Poniente at Unicaja, "from efficiency, you will be able to compete in an increasingly global market and with large global operators".

4. Sustainability

Health and sustainability were two of the market trends that were emphasized during the day. The growing global consumer interest in health-related issues and how the food they eat is produced has exponentially impacted the sector. The companies that operate in the market are challenged to present clear lines on their sustainability and food safety policies with which to respond to these needs.

In this sense, Andalusia has made a great effort in this regard to bet on its designations of origin . A new market trend that has led to an improvement in its positioning and international presence .

Health and sustainability are the big trends for a new generation of consumers

5. Innovation

«We have to be digital and tech inside and outside the company . In this way we will ensure that the transformation and success of the sector is exponential ", challenged Antonio Domene , Manager of CASI.

The innovation expert took advantage of his speech to remember that in Almería there are two barriers that must be faced in order to develop technological innovation.

The first is to comply with a series of standards that allow applying new methods of precision agriculture
The second has to do with the commercial, since it is necessary to apply control systems for commercial operations. "In this way we will advance along the lines of the large distribution chains," said Domene.

Innovation applied to product traceability was also one of the key pieces discussed during the forum. The demand is increasing and the sector must know how to respond to generate consumer confidence and security. All the information that can be offered will play in your favor when choosing one product or another.

The sector must bet on innovation to know how to respond and generate consumer confidence and security

Data such as identifying crops, controlling their growth, treatment and processing are increasingly a bet in which the Andalusian sector is increasingly competitive. And the consumer will respond positively, paying higher prices, when making a choice between some products and others.

Innovation is therefore a differential element of the Andalusian Agro sector and experts agree that it must be at the center of the companies' strategy .

There is no doubt : Andalusia must be prepared to face the relevant changes and continue leading the future of agri-food exports. We will have to wait until 2020 to know if it will reinforce its leadership or this historical record will become, simply and simply, history.