food

The famous biscuit company, Birba, expects to have a turnover of 6 million euros in 2010. Birba will have sold more than 1,200,000 kilos of biscuits.

An innovative new guide book supported by the world-renowned chef Ferran Adrià was presented in El Prat, in the Agrarian Park of the Baix Llobregat county, next to Barcelona, the largest urban agricultural area in Europe. The guide includes a list of over 500 producers that sell directly to consumers.

A workshop in central Catalonia has analysed the promotion of local agri-food sectors. The Italian region of Tuscany will share their successful experiences in revalorising local consumption.

The Gusti di Frontiera Fair in the Italian town of Gorizia invites Catalonia as the guest of honour in their gastronomic showcase.

An olive oil from the Cambrils Agricultural Cooperative has been recognised by France, the United States and Israel for its quality. The cooperative recently received three awards for their ‘Mestral’ olive oil, one of the most valued oils in the DO of Siurana. One of the awards was a result of an Israeli competition where around 189 varieties of olive oil from some 14 countries competed to win this mark of quality.

Predictions point to harvest increases, especially in hazelnut crops, a sector looking to profit from its high-quality products.

The sector has widened its offers, projecting itself both nationally and internationally in recent years. Only 15% of the cheese produced in Catalonia is consumed by Catalans. The sector produces 10,000 tons of cheese a year and has grown in recent years both in quality and international recognition.

Josep Ramon Castells, the president of the Federation of Mollusc Producers from the Ebre Delta, explained in an interview the properties and the quality of the mussels and oysters they produce. They have a stronger flesh and greater sea taste than those from France and Italy.

Fourteen Catalan producers of luxury gastronomic goods come together to present their companies abroad and to expand their presence in foreign markets

Catalan towns such as L'Escala or Corbera del Llobregat organize events that combine tasting evenings with outdoor musical concerts.

The UAB and Angola?s Universidade José Eduardo dos Santos have reached an agreement to build the first research and technological centre of the African continent focused on the agri-food sector, which aims to foster the Angolan and Sub-Saharan industry.