48 Buyers from 20+ Countries Discover Spanish Gastronomy in the Framework of the Alimentaria Food Fair

The Alimentaria food fair kicked off in Barcelona on March 18 and ran until the 21st, welcoming buyers from all five continents, that participated in the food fair’s special Hosted Buyer’s program. That included personalized meetings depending on each person’s specific interests, along with a visit to the fair.

The Alimentaria food fair continues to break records with its international reach. Held every two years, it regularly offers internationalization opportunities to Spanish agri-food companies.

At this edition, buyers came from Denmark, the UK, Hong Kong, Thailand, Lithuania, Mexico, Poland, Serbia, Croatia, Turkey, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Japan, Vietnam, and beyond.

Starting on March 20th, a total of 48 buyers set off on several different discovery trips throughout Spain, giving them the opportunity to meet and talk with producers and get a first-hand look at their products. Ultimately, they learned about Spain’s wealth of foods and wines, their immense diversity, and how they vary from region to region. In total, 16 buyers traveled to Andalusia, 6 to Castile-León, and 10 to Aragón. Another group, with 4 buyers, traveled with Provacuno, while another group, with 12 buyers, set off on two separate trips, both with Interporc. The first group of 6 traveled around Catalonia and the other group of 6 around central Spain and Zaragoza. These groups visited meat plants to get a better understanding of this industry in Spain.

Discovery Trip to Aragón

The buyers on this trip had dinner at Casa Pardina in Alquézar, where they were able to try Somontano PDO wines, visited the ancient olive groves near Buera and learned about Aceites ALIA’s olive oils, tasted Radiquero cheese, and visited Bodega SOMMOS. They also went on a truffle hunt with the President of the Truffle Producers Association of Aragón and visited FRIBIN, a leading producer of top-quality meats.

Discovery Trip to Castile-León

This group of buyers visited Grupo Matarromera’s Almazara Oliduero to sample its extra virgin olive oil, visited Pago de Valdecuevas to learn more about its oils, and toured Quesería Chillón Plaza cheese factory to sample its cheese.

They also visited the Quesería La Antigua de Fuentesaúco and César Nieto Group, the latter a cured product factory where they saw how Ibérico pigs are bred. They also toured the Cárnicas Tabladillo meat factory.