AFEPASA, 2021 SME of the Year Award in Tarragona in the Internationalization category

 

• These awards aim to recognize the achievements of small and medium-sized enterprises in the province of Tarragona, whose activities are essential for generating employment and wealth at the local level.
• The jury highlighted the efforts made by AFEPASA through its ambitious internationalization plan.
• AFEPASA’s exports now account for 60% of its total turnover, with a 33% increase this year.

There is no doubt that the internationalization of companies is one of the keys to business success. With more than 125 years of history, AFEPASA is currently implementing an ambitious internationalization plan that has achieved excellent results in recent years. This effort has been recognized with the 2021 SME of the Year Award in Tarragona in the Internationalization category, presented by the Chamber of Commerce of Spain, the Tarragona Chamber of Commerce, the Reus Chamber of Commerce, Banco Santander and La Vanguardia. The award ceremony took place on July 8 at the headquarters of the Tarragona Chamber of Commerce.

These prestigious and highly regarded awards in Tarragona recognize the achievements of small and medium-sized enterprises in the province, whose activities are essential for creating employment and generating wealth at the local level. Representing AFEPASA at the ceremony were Álex Pallarès, María Dolores Pallarès and Ignacio Pallarès, all members of the company’s Board of Directors, and Esmeralda van Strien, a member of the Management Committee, who collected the award on behalf of the company.

Alongside AFEPASA, four other companies from Tarragona were recognized at the 2021 SME of the Year Awards in Tarragona: Aliter Grup Renovables, in the Digitalization and Innovation category; Salut i Treball, in the Training and Employment category; Solcam Energia, in the Responsible Company category; and Paulino Solanellas, which was named Tarragona’s 2021 SME of the Year. In addition, the jury decided to award two special mentions to Eldine Patología and Inver & Gest for their ability to reinvent themselves during the pandemic.

Regarding the award, Manel Montaño, General Manager of AFEPASA, stated: “This distinction is undoubtedly a recognition of our organization, which, through internationalization, aims to continue generating employment and wealth in our region.”

With a Focus on Internationalization

This award is undoubtedly a recognition of the ambitious internationalization plan that AFEPASA is currently implementing and which is largely responsible for the growth the company has experienced in recent years. In fact, 60% of the company’s turnover in 2020 came from export markets. These figures are particularly significant considering that, since 2019, exports, which had previously focused mainly on commodities, have shifted towards high value-added products resulting from AFEPASA’s strong commitment to R&D&i.

In recent years, the company has made a major effort to obtain registrations for plant protection products and fertilizers, which are essential for marketing products in different markets. AFEPASA is investing significant resources and making considerable efforts in this area. This commitment has paid off: since 2020, AFEPASA has obtained no fewer than 40 registrations in almost 20 countries, in addition to the more than 100 registrations it already held.

As a result, AFEPASA is now present in more than 100 countries worldwide. In Europe, alongside established markets such as Spain, France, Portugal and Greece, the company has expanded into other Mediterranean and Central European countries, including Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Georgia, among others.

In Africa, where the company already has a strong presence in the north, it has expanded towards the eastern and southern regions of the continent, reaching countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Sudan.

Furthermore, since 2013, AFEPASA has been increasing its presence in the Middle East and has entered major Asian markets such as China, India, Pakistan and the ever-demanding South Korean market. It has also crossed the Atlantic, entering countries such as Brazil and Ecuador. In short, after years of hard work and commitment to protecting organic and more sustainable crops, the company is now present on four continents.