AFEPASA, Tarragona Chamber of Commerce International Career Award

• This is the second recognition received by AFEPASA in just a few months for its internationalization efforts.
• 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.

AFEPASA has added another recognition to its list of awards, this time for its internationalization efforts, which have been a key factor in the company’s business success. With more than 125 years of history, the company is currently implementing an ambitious internationalization plan that has delivered excellent results in recent years. This effort, which was recognized in July with the 2021 SME of the Year Award in Tarragona in the Internationalization category, has now received further recognition with the International Career Award from the Tarragona Chamber of Commerce. The award ceremony, chaired by Javier Sancho, First Vice-President of the Tarragona Chamber of Commerce and member of its Executive Committee, and hosted by journalist Núria Pérez, took place on November 12.

These prestigious and highly regarded awards in Tarragona recognize companies for their achievements in internationalization. Their activities play a key role in creating employment and generating wealth at the local level. Representing AFEPASA at the event were two members of the company’s Board of Directors, Igor Pallarés and Ignacio Pallarés, as well as Manel Montaño, General Manager of AFEPASA, who accepted the award on behalf of the company.

 

 

Alongside AFEPASA, three other companies from Tarragona were recognized at the 24th edition of the Tarragona Chamber of Commerce Internationalization Awards: Infinitum (International Growth Award), Port de Tarragona (Special Award for the International Projection of the Region), and Xarxa Sanitària i Social Santa Tecla (Socially Responsible Company Award for its response to COVID-19). Carlos Arola, Vice-President of the Tarragona Chamber of Commerce, member of its Executive Committee and Head of Internationalization, was responsible for announcing the winners at a ceremony where Francisco Toledo, President of Puertos del Estado, received the Golden Key, the highest distinction awarded by the Tarragona Chamber of Commerce.

 

 

Regarding this award, Manel Montaño, General Manager of AFEPASA, stated that “this distinction, which follows the 2021 SME of the Year Award in Tarragona received in July, is undoubtedly further recognition of our organization and of the entire AFEPASA team, which, through internationalization, aims to continue generating employment and wealth in our region.”

 

 

With a Focus on Internationalization

This new 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 financial resources and allocating 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.

A clear example of this internationalization plan can be seen in the international trade fairs in which the company participates. In this regard, AFEPASA will attend the upcoming edition of SITEVI, which will take place from November 30 to December 2 in Montpellier, France. SITEVI, one of the leading trade fairs for agricultural innovation, is an important meeting point for professionals in the wine, olive-growing and fruit and vegetable sectors.