The Xixona nougat sector showcased its strength and innovative capacity at the 2022 Food Fair in Barcelona, where nine of the region’s leading nougat brands demonstrated the industry’s current health and commercial vitality in a dedicated competition. This display highlighted continued sales momentum and the sector’s resilience, as noted by the event organizers and regulatory bodies involved in quality oversight.
Umbrella protection is provided by the IGP Regulatory Council. Participating companies including Jijona and Turrón de Alicante, Turrones Picó, El Lobo and 1880, El Artesano, Antiu Xixona, and Turrón 25 exhibited in a 60 square meter shared pavilion in Hall 5, a space devoted to trends in nutrition and consumer preferences.
Jijona’s delegation featured L’Exquisit Mediterrani, complemented by Turrones José Garrigós and Nutxes, with support from Pablo Garrigós Ibáñez and a cluster of gourmet food brands, as well as Turrones Onza de Oro, occupying a prominent position in the second pavilion focused on origin foods. This arrangement underscored Xixona’s branding and regional identity across multiple exhibitor groups. (Attribution: event organizers, IGP Jijona and Turrón de Alicante)
Xixona’s mayor, Isabel López (PSOE), and Tourism Councillor Eduardo Ferrer (Cs) visited the fair to champion the city’s nougat producers and reinforce Xixona’s global image as a premier destination for confectionery excellence. López emphasized that nougat remains a core pillar of Jijona’s identity while acknowledging the sector’s courage and agility in navigating economic challenges and crises, reinforcing the city’s role as ambassadors for local industry at business engagements. (Attribution: City of Xixona communications)
López further remarked that nougat will continue to anchor Jijona’s identity, pointing to the sector’s ongoing innovation and resilience in the face of market volatility and seasonal shifts. The broader message highlighted a commitment to sustaining high standards of quality and creativity that define the region’s confectionery heritage. (Attribution: City of Xixona communications)
Xixona promotes the Nougat Route to advance its industry and tourism
The tourism leadership reiterated that Xixona and its nougat are inseparable from the local experience, noting that quality tourism draws an increasing flow of visitors to the municipality each year. This linkage between culinary excellence and destination appeal was a focal point during the fair, reinforcing the brand value of Xixona as a year-round tourist magnet. (Attribution: Xixona Tourism Office)
The 2022 Food Fair also showcased the Nougat Route initiative, an ongoing effort by Diputación de Alicante, the City Council, and the Association of Nougat, Derivatives and Chocolate Producers (TDC). This project, developed in collaboration with IGP Jijona and Turrón de Alicante and Turisme de la Generalitat, reflects a strategic commitment to promoting quality nougat both domestically and internationally. (Attribution: Diputación de Alicante, TDC, IGP Jijona and Turrón de Alicante, Turisme de la Generalitat)
Visitors witnessed a broad array of nougat offerings throughout the year, illustrating how the industry adapts to evolving consumer tastes and seasonal demand. The fair highlighted innovations for the upcoming Christmas season while demonstrating the sector’s capacity to extend its appeal beyond peak holiday periods, a key factor in combating deseasonalization. The city’s press materials affirm this enduring relevance of nougat as a cornerstone of the local economy and cultural heritage. (Attribution: City of Xixona press office)