Andalucía TRADE joins the Portuguese-Spanish SMART_FOOD_INT project to boost agri-food exports

 

Andalucía TRADE joins the project SMART_FOOD_INT to boost the internationalization of agri-food SMEs through digitalization and innovation. The initiative, led by Landaluz and co-financed by funds FEDERIt will last three and a half years within the framework of the program POCTEP.

 

Strengthening the Portuguese-Spanish export network

 

El Consejo de Gobierno has authorized the integration of Andalucía TRADE in the consortium that develops SMART_FOOD_INTThis project falls under the umbrella of Programa de Cooperación Interreg VI-A España–Portugal (POCTEP2021-2027. The central mission of this alliance is to promote the Capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises through tools of market intelligence and digital transformation processes.

 

The consortium, with its strong cross-border focus, includes leading organizations from both countries. In addition to the leadership of Landaluz (agri-food cluster of Andalucía), make up the group the Fundación Andanatura for sustainable development, Extremadura Avante, Portugal Foods, the AIP- Asociación Industrial Portuguesa- Cámara de Comercio e Industria de Portugal y AIRO.

 

Project/Sector Indicator	Detail / Figure
Total budget	929.696,76 €
ERDF co-financing	75 %
Estimated duration	3 years and 6 months
Agricultural and Beverage Exports (2025)	15.674 millones de euros
Trade balance (2025)	+ 9.155 billion euros
Coverage rate (2025)	240,5 %

 

Digitization and visibility in global markets

 

The contribution of Andalucía TRADE It will focus on institutional support, aligning its external promotion competencies with the objectives of the initiative without requiring direct economic investment. SMART_FOOD_INT It will focus on strategic axes for the foreign trade contemporary:

 

• Commercial digitization: Providing tools to expand the reach of businesses beyond the borders of Unión Europea.
• Online positioning: Improved visibility on high-impact digital platforms and professional social networks.
• Access to marketplaces: Opening of electronic sales channels to diversify international business opportunities.

 

The context for this initiative is highly favorable. The agri-food and beverage sector in Andalucía It demonstrated exceptional strength at the close of 2025, achieving record sales volume and a competitive capacity reflected in a coverage rate exceeding 240%.

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about SMART_FOOD_INT

 

What is the main objective of the SMART_FOOD_INT project?
Its goal is to boost the internationalization of Portuguese-Spanish agri-food SMEs through the use of innovation, market intelligence and digitalization strategies.

 

What role does Andalucía TRADE play in this consortium?
The agency offers institutional support to leverage its experience in promoting the Andalusian economy, collaborating in the expansion of companies into markets outside the region. UE.

 

How is this cross-border initiative financed?
The project has a budget of approximately 930.000 euros, financed 75% by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through the program POCTEP.