Inflation skyrockets to 9.8% due to soaring energy costs, highest level since 1985
Electricity prices, fuel, food and drinks register significant increases compared to March 2021 according to preliminary data
food and drinks
Households spend 25% to 30% more on food during lockdown
€2.5bn more spent across Spain than same period last year, according to Spanish agriculture minister
Barcelona food and drinks fair Alimentaria postponed until September over coronavirus
The city’s second largest trade show after MWC was due to take place in April
Cacaolat comes to Portugal, increasing further the Catalan brand's internationalisation
Cacaolat – a popular chocolate milkshake produced in Catalonia since 1933 – continues to expand its international presence and has now arrived in Portugal as well. Invented in 1931 by Catalan entrepreneur Joan Viader Roger (already the owner of milk factory Letona), two years later it went on the market, becoming the first industrially manufactured cacao smoothie in the world, the company claims. Notwithstanding that its production was paralysed between 1936 and 1950, it went on to become a very popular product in Catalonia, also thanks to a smart communication strategy. Since 2012, it has belonged to the brewery Damm and soft drink producer Cobega, two of the leading beverage companies that founded the Grupo Cacaolat S.L, and the brand is now going through another sweet moment, after a few years of rough times.
Barcelona International Food and Drinks Exhibition experiences an increase of 1.4% in visitor numbers
The 2012 Alimentaria Exhibition welcomed 40,000 international visitors, which represents 29% of the 142,000 attendees. It represents an 11% increase compared to the last such event in Barcelona in 2010.