HE Food Chain Observatory will convene on Wednesday, March 29, to review the latest shifts in food prices and the government’s response. The discussions follow an official approval by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas. The Observatory is set to hold its regular session next week, a request coming from agricultural associations, and it forms part of the ministry’s ongoing, formal dialogue with stakeholders across the food chain. The plan is to ensure continuous communication among farmers, retailers, distributors, industry representatives, and the State at the same table, with the Minister presiding. This gathering will occur amid a period of heightened attention to price dynamics and market pressures in the sector.
Thus, the primary sector, supermarkets, distribution and industry, and the state will again share the table, chaired by the Minister. José Miguel Herrero, the Managing Director of the Food Industry, is expected to participate next week, followed by an Extraordinary meeting of the Observatory in a context where food prices have been rising. The aim is to align efforts across all segments of the supply chain to address costs and ensure price stability.
Regarding the current trajectory of price increases, Planas expressed confidence in the measures the government has put in place and suggested that these steps should gradually curb inflationary pressures. He noted that the broader analysis aligns with observations from the Bank of Spain, which highlighted a delay in translating reductions in energy, feed, and fertilizer costs into consumer prices. He indicated optimism that a downward trend is possible soon, even if the pace may not meet every expectation. This view reflects a broader European context where energy and input costs are easing but transmission to prices varies by country.
At the forthcoming meeting, officials may discuss distribution policies that resemble initiatives observed in other countries. Planas remarked that while there are only a few such measures in Spain, there is value in evaluating them as potential tools for the local market. He cautioned that there is no magic solution and emphasized that any effective policy would need to be well-targeted and transparent, benefiting both chains and consumers without creating distortions.
5 million to the beekeeping industry
On another front, the Head of Agriculture for the province outlined a support strategy for beekeeping, a sector facing financial strain from rising costs and import competition from non-EU sources. The government plans to allocate five million euros in direct aid to the sector and urged autonomous communities where beekeeping is significant to supplement and expand this support. The rationale is straightforward: beekeeping is a small but vital component of the livestock industry, essential for pollination and the broader agricultural ecosystem. This aid aims to sustain livelihoods and protect the integrity of beekeeping against unfair competition and compliance gaps in imported products.
The official stressed that the beekeeping sector deserves recognition and assistance, highlighting concerns over imports that do not comply with community regulations, which contribute to higher costs and labeling issues that mislead consumers. By reinforcing support for beekeeping, authorities seek to preserve quality standards and promote fair competition across the market.
The current drought conditions were also raised, with the plan outlining ongoing monitoring by the department and the ecological transition office. Officials are considering whether a drought alert should be issued and how it would influence water use, crop planning, and agricultural resilience. The discussions emphasize a proactive approach to environmental challenges and their implications for agricultural productivity.