La Polytechnic University of Madrid It was the setting for the presentation of the updated report «Sustainability indicators in the agri-food sector", a study driven by Cajamar and prepared by researchers from the Study and Research Center for Agricultural and Environmental Risk Management (CEIGRAM). This report, which has established itself as a key observatory, allows for detailed monitoring of sustainability throughout the entire value chain of the Spanish agri-food production.
During the presentation, Eduardo BaamondeThe president of Cajamar highlighted the importance of measurement for analysis and diagnosis: “Measurement allows us to analyze and diagnose. To know in which areas improvements are occurring and in which there are setbacks, or where improvements are slowing down or are insufficient to meet existing needs. And also to compare to what extent our sector, which is highly competitive in the European context, has an economic, social, and environmental performance equal to, higher than, or lower than the rest of the industry.” European Union«.
The new edition of the report significantly expands the number of indicators analyzed, increasing from 60 to 90. These indicators are grouped into three fundamental dimensions of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental. Within these dimensions, variables such as gross value added, employment, water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and the use of pesticides are analyzed.
This is the second edition of the only global study on the sustainable performance of the agricultural value chain in Spain, with data updated to 2024.
Isabel Bardaji, director of CEIGRAM and coordinator of the study, noted that the selection of indicators was based on three essential criteria: relevance, availability of reliable and comparable data with the UE, and the existence of time series for an evolutionary analysis.
One of the most relevant aspects of the report is its ability to provide a comparative overview with the rest of the European Union countries. This allows for an assessment of Spain's performance in the European context and facilitates the design of public policies and strategies aligned with the 2030 Agenda.
The report reveals that, overall, the Spanish agri-food sector is showing progress in terms of sustainability. However, it also identifies areas where efforts need to be intensified. In the economic sphere, the sector's weight in European gross added value and its strong performance in the foreign tradeIn the social sphere, employment stability is observed, although challenges persist, such as an aging workforce and low female participation, especially in the agricultural sector.
Regarding environmental indicators, the report analyzes the use of resources such as water and energy, as well as the impact of agri-food activity on the environment. It highlights the improvement in the efficiency of water use in irrigation and the reduction in the consumption of pesticides. However, it points out the need to continue improving energy efficiency in agriculture.
During the discussion following the presentation, Juan Sagarna, Director of Sustainability, Quality and Innovation of Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias España, and Celsa Peiteado, head of WWF Spain's Food Program, highlighted the importance of having accurate and up-to-date data to promote sustainability in the sector.
The report also addresses the challenge of obtaining information at the farm level, a key aspect to complement the macro analysis. In this regard, it mentions the future Farm Sustainable Data Network of the European Commission as a promising tool.
Andres Escudero, Deputy Director General of Analysis, Coordination and Statistics at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, highlighted the importance of this type of study for decision-making in the public sphere.
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