The Spanish Association of Almond Shellers (Descalmendra) met on June 20th at the Raimat Winery Estate (Lleida) to present the IV Forum of the Spanish Almond Industry.
The main objective of this group, which began eight years ago, is to analyze the changes that are taking place in the almond sector and to discuss the upcoming future challenges.
Descalmendra groups together the most representative companies in the Spanish almond shelling sector – the companies that offer a more consistent and higher quality product, capable of competing in national and international markets alike.
The forum had an excellent turnout and included some very active and positive contributions for the industry. Issues such as food safety did not go unnoticed, as well as the work of the Operational Group for the detection and eradication of bitter almonds. This was promoted by the aforementioned Descalmendra, as well as the Spanish Almond and Hazelnut Exporters Board (Almendrave) and the Spanish Association for the Organization of Nut and Carob Producers (Aeofruse).
In addition to this, we had the opportunity to get to know the national almond tree figures first hand, and how the development of these crops on Spanish territory is being carried out, without forgetting the engaging debate about the pending water restrictions in California and how this could affect its production.
Other relevant industry issues discussed throughout the day were pasteurization, and the innovation or suitability of different almond varieties.
Importaco was present, and participated in the panel discussion regarding crops and future crop distribution which had Gaspar Alapont, the General Director of Importaco Ingredients as moderator. The group also participated in the debate which took place almost at the close of the day, discussing procedures on how to obtain an end product with Spanish almonds, and what that entails for the elaboration of artisan products. In the second debate, Xema Albert, Purchasing Manager at Importaco Ingredients, contributed on the panel, along with other representatives of companies that, like Importaco, help to get the almond to the end-user. As well as them, there were also representatives of the three almond tree research centers in Spain.
The IV Forum of the Spanish Almond Industry had an exceptional program:
SEMINAR: PHYSICAL STATISTICS OF ALMOND TREES IN CATALONIA
SEMINAR: INSIGHT INTO THE ALMOND INDUSTRY: SPAIN AND CALIFORNIA
PANEL: CROPS AND FUTURE CROP TERRAIN
SEMINAR: PASTEURIZATION: FOOD SAFETY TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE
SEMINAR: OPERATIVE GROUP FOR THE DETECTION AND ERADICATION OF BITTER ALMONDS
PRESENTATION: DEBATE ON MARKETING
PANEL: EVOLUTION OF PRIMARY COMMERCIALIZATION
SEMINAR: INNOVATION IN THE FACE OF THE CHALLENGES IN THE ALMOND SECTOR
SEMINAR: INDUSTRIAL SUITABILITY OF THE ALMOND
PRESENTATION: HANDCRAFTED AND QUALITY PRODUCTS
PANEL: THE CREATION OF END PRODUCTS USING SPANISH ALMONDS
The aforementioned representative associations
DESCALMENDRA
This is the Spanish Almond Shelling Association, and is a state organization that currently groups together the most representative companies in the Spanish shelling sector. Its main tasks are to offer a more consistent and better quality product with the promotion of monovarietal product development, the promotion of organic almonds, and the eradication of bitter almonds, among other things. In short, its aim is to offer the industry an almond capable of competing in national and international markets.
AEOFRUSE
A Spanish association which deals with the Organization of Nut and Carob Producers. It participates in projects such as the Operational Group for the detection and eradication of bitter almonds, the Carbon Footprint Project and the Environmental Almond Report (DAP), together with SAB-Almendrave, and has championed efforts to promote the introduction of Spanish almonds into the Chinese market.
ALMENDRAVE – SPANISH ALMOND BOARD
The Spanish Almond and Hazelnut Exporters Board (ALMENDRAVE) is made up of the main affiliated companies that represent approximately 80% of the total Spanish export of almonds and hazelnuts.
ALMENDRAVE is responsible for the representation, coordination, defense, and promotion of the common interests of its associates at a national and international level. Its main functions, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce and other Official Organizations, are the promotion and expansion of the markets.
In the same way, it collaborates with the Spanish Association of Dried Fruit and Carob Producers, AEOFRUSE, and with the Spanish Association of Almond Shellers, DESCALMENDRA, to improve the quality and production of almonds and hazelnuts in Spain.
Sources:
ALMENDRAVE www.almendrave.com
DESCALMENDRA www.descalmendra.com
