Cantabria has become the epicenter of international interest for the high-end agri-food sector. Importers from the United States, Lithuania, and Greece have visited the region as part of a reverse trade mission organized by the Society for the Development of Cantabria (SODERCAN) and the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade (ICEX).
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The autonomous community of Cantabria has opened its doors to a delegation of international importers of the food industry, in a strategic action driven by SODERCAN and ICEX. These buyers, originating from key markets such as United States, Lithuania and Greece, have traveled to the region with the aim of exploring the richness and diversity of gourmet products that Cantabria offers to the world. The reverse mission, which is taking place throughout this week, is a continuation of the contacts initiated during the recent edition of the Madrid Gourmet Hall, a benchmark event for industry professionals.
The initiative has been possible thanks to the active collaboration of the Chamber of Commerce of Cantabria and the Food Quality Office (OCAS), entities that have contributed to the selection of Cantabrian companies with the greatest export potential and to the organization of an exhaustive program of visits. Importers have had the opportunity to learn about the facilities and production processes of emblematic companies in the region, such as The Lleldiría, recognized for its artisanal dairy products; Heirs of Tomás Ruiz, producers of high-quality canned fish; Craft Beers from Cantabria, with its innovative beer proposal; Siderit Distillery, known for its premium gins and vodkas; and Pomace from Potes, symbol of the liquor tradition of the Lebaniega region.
The visit to these companies has allowed international buyers not only to taste the star products of Cantabria, but also understanding the philosophy and know-how behind each creation. From the selection of raw materials to the packaging and distribution processes, importers have been able to see the commitment of Cantabrian companies to quality, innovation, and respect for tradition.
Eduardo Arasti, Minister of Industry and President of SODERCAN, highlighted the importance of this reverse mission as a key tool for the internationalization of the Cantabrian agri-food sector.
"The arrival of international buyers and opinion leaders in Cantabria simultaneously meets several objectives. On the one hand, it allows companies and products in the agri-food sector to be known and promoted, and facilitates contacts aimed at creating business opportunities from which the region's producers can benefit. On the other hand, it is an opportunity to present the attractiveness of our region's industrial sector to potential foreign investors."
The companies visited expressed their satisfaction with the opportunity to showcase their work to a qualified international audience.
The initiative is framed within the I Cantabria Internationalization Plan 2025-2028, a comprehensive strategy that seeks to boost the presence of Cantabrian companies in global markets. The collaboration agreement signed between SODERCAN and ICEX Spain Export and Investment is a fundamental pillar of this plan, as it allows both organizations to work together to promote the region's agri-food sector and contribute to improving the coverage rate of the Cantabrian economy.
The presence of importers of United States, a market with great potential for gourmet products; Lithuania, gateway to the Baltic market; and Greece, with a rich culinary tradition, highlights the diverse international interest that Cantabrian products generate. This reverse mission is expected to translate into concrete trade agreements in the near future, consolidating Cantabria's position as a benchmark in the high-quality agri-food sector.
