Valencian Cooperatives Show Resilience and Regional Growth

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World cooperativeness appears stronger after the crisis it sparked. In the wake of the pandemic, it is possible to read this trend in the latest data from the Valencian Community Cooperatives Confederation. The figures show that cooperative enterprises continued to thrive, recording nearly 9,000 million euros in invoices last year, marking a 5.2% rise from the previous year and about 22% above the 2019 level. These numbers speak to a resilient business model that weathered recent volatility while delivering stability to members and the local economy.

This positive picture was presented during a workday organized by Concoval to celebrate the upcoming International Cooperatives Day at Casa Mediterráneo. The event reflected a political moment of transition in the Generalitat, with Sustainable Economy Minister Rafa Climent highlighting cooperatives as a model that must be valued for its participatory, democratic nature, and its rootedness in the region. He suggested that this model carries lower risk of displacement and can contribute to broader regional development.

The Concoval president, Emilio Sampedro, echoed the assessment, noting a crisis of values in recent years that has nonetheless raised the profile and usefulness of cooperative enterprises. He argued that these organizations keep welfare for their partners at the center while continuing to generate profits, a balance that strengthens trust and long-term sustainability.

Minister Rafa Climent speaking at the cooperatives conference and other participants emphasized how the sector underlines a social economy that aligns with regional priorities and public welfare. The latest Concoval report highlights a growing cooperative footprint in the Valencian Community, including an increase in active cooperatives from 2,594 before the pandemic to 2,776 at the end of the last year. Among the districts, l’Alacantí records the highest concentration with 213 cooperatives, followed by Vega Baja with 153. The growth reflects both new formations and the continued participation of existing entities in the cooperative movement.

The cooperative model in the region directly employs about 59,607 people, a level close to the 2018 peak for the autonomous community. Nearly 40% of these workers are under the age of 40, highlighting the sector’s role in youth employment and talent development. In terms of business volume, Valencian cooperatives posted around 8,926 million euros in turnover last year, according to Concoval’s data and the Statistical Portal of the Social Economy. This figure underscores the sector’s substantial contribution to regional GDP and social value creation, as reported without linking to external sources in this summary.

Alicante breaks records and dominates half of the new business cooperatives in the Community

The largest turnover belongs to consumer and user cooperatives, which exceed 4,412 million euros and include specific chains like consumer supermarkets operating under cooperative forms. In second place come agricultural services, including cooperatives that market produce from local farmers, totaling about 2,453 million. An additional 177 million is allocated directly to farmers as cooperative members. The manufacturing and distribution segments show strong performance as well, with industry-focused cooperatives contributing 647 million in revenue, the financial sector adding 252 million, and other sectors bridging in with 173 million.

Emilio Sampedro and Ximo Puig, along with other cooperative representatives, were photographed during the event, underscoring the close ties between regional government and the cooperative movement. The gathering also featured various presentations and moments of reflection on the role of cooperatives in promoting social welfare and economic resilience. Discretion prevailed as the day highlighted the contributions of Alicante’s leading cooperatives, especially Bocopa, which partners with more than 250 wine and viticulture associates and runs five production wineries in the region, and the Clean Air teaching cooperative, both recognized for their impact in their respective fields.

The event carried out several distinctions presented by regional leadership to cooperative projects and leaders who exemplify practical commitment to community welfare and regional development. The overall tone underscored a belief that cooperatives offer a durable, participatory path for inclusive growth and local empowerment, a message that resonates across sectors and continues to attract interest from policymakers and practitioners alike. The day closed with a shared sense that cooperative values remain a strong pillar of economic and social life in the Valencian Community, and that the model has room to expand its reach while maintaining its core principles of democratic governance and member welfare.

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