Cajamar and Provacuno present the sector's roadmap: professionalization and integration to compete globally

Sectorial analysis

Cajamar, in collaboration with Provacuno, has presented the monograph 'Beef in Spain', an analysis that defines professionalization and the integration of the value chain as the strategic pillars to face the challenges of the sector towards 2030.

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The future of the Spanish beef sector lies in professionalization and the integration of the value chain

The financial entity Cajamar, in collaboration with the Interprofessional Beef Organization (Provacuno), has presented in Madrid the monograph 'Beef in Spain: production, markets and prospects'The report emphasizes that the professionalization of farms and greater integration of the value chain are decisive factors for the competitiveness and development of the sector until 2030.

The publication, number 50 in the Monograph collection of Cajamar, has been coordinated by Isabel Casasús, researcher at Centro de Investigación Agroalimentaria de Aragón, and Vicente Jimeno, tenured professor at the ETSI Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas from the Universidad Politécnica de MadridThe document offers a comprehensive overview of a sector with a strong territorial dimension, key to rural cohesion in España.

The analysis highlights that a professionalized sector, both in its management and economic administration as well as in its technological adoption, is more resilient to market volatility. At the same time, greater integration, with stable agreements between farmers and industry and shared differentiation strategies, provides the "the necessary muscle to cope with regulatory demands, cost volatility, and external competitive pressure"In the field of sustainability, the monograph emphasizes that it has ceased to be a requirement and has become a key element of competitivenesswhere factors such as emissions reduction, animal welfare and traceability are key to accessing international markets.

Voices from industry and government at the presentation

The opening of the event featured the participation of key figures from the sector. Eduardo Baamonde, President of CajamarHe explained that "beef cattle is the second largest livestock sector in Spain in terms of the value of Final Livestock Production and a key element in the economy of numerous rural regions." Baamonde He added that "since Cajamar"We understand that supporting this process with rigorous and accessible knowledge is part of our commitment to the agricultural world."

For its part, Raúl Sanz, President of ProvacunoHe pointed out that "the beef sector faces significant challenges related to farm profitability—which, let's remember, is the first pillar of sustainability—generational renewal, technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and new consumer demands." Sanz"To respond to these challenges we need knowledge, analysis and adaptability," valuing the monograph as a tool of special value.

On behalf of the Government, Ana Rodríguez, Secretary General for Agricultural Resources and Food Security of Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y AlimentaciónHe praised publications like the one presented, stating that "they help to know and better understand the reality of a production sector, and constitute a fundamental tool to strengthen decision-making and to be able to anticipate future challenges."

The presentation of the contents of the work was given by the coordinator Isabel Casasúswho pointed out that the sector has intensified its concentration and diversified its markets in the last decade. Subsequently, a round table discussion moderated by Ignacio Atance, director of the Research and Publications Service of Fundación Grupo Cajamar, analyzed the prospects with the participation of Javier López, director of Provacuno; Pablo Resco, responsible for Agri-food Strategy in Plataforma Tierra, And the actual Vicente Jimeno.

The closure was carried out by Manuel Lainez, Director of the Fundación Grupo Cajamarwho warned that "the increased cost of the product is generating tensions in domestic consumption that should not be ignored."

Table 1. Challenges and strategic pillars for the Spanish beef sector towards 2030, according to the report by Cajamar y Provacuno.

Sectoral Challenge	Key Strategic Solution
Cost volatility and adverse market cycles	professionalisation of economic management and technology adoption.
Increasing regulatory and environmental demands	Greater integration, larger business size and cohesive value chains.
Competitive pressure from foreign markets	Shared strategies of differentiation and access to new markets.
Access to demanding international markets	Convert the sustainability (traceability, animal welfare) as a factor of competitiveness.

Key points and frequently asked questions about the future of the Spanish beef sector

According to the report, what are the two pillars that a Spanish meat company must strengthen to export successfully?

The two strategic pillars are the professionalization and integrationProfessionalization implies advanced economic and production management, as well as the adoption of technology. Integration refers to the creation of more cohesive value chains, with stable agreements between farmers and industry to jointly address the challenges of the global market.

How does sustainability affect the beef value chain in Spain?

Sustainability has ceased to be a mere regulatory requirement and has become a a determining factor of competitiveness and access to marketsAspects such as emissions reduction, water management, animal welfare and full product traceability are increasingly demanded by international importers and consumers, especially in high-value markets.

What does the 'integration of the value chain' mentioned in the report mean for the sector?

It means overcoming the sector's fragmented structure through strategic collaboration among its various links, from breeding to processing and distribution. It involves fostering long-term agreements that provide stability, sharing strategies for differentiating Spanish products, and speaking with one voice in international markets to gain negotiating power and resilience.