Banca dati dei progetti dei PSR
Construction of a New Almond Processing Plant
Summary
A large agri-food business in Spain has used EAFRD co-financing as part of a major investment programme to upgrade its processing facilities and create new job opportunities for the local community.
Background
The enterprise COLEFRUSE INTERNATIONAL S.A. and main beneficiary of the project, is located in San Juan de Alicante and carries out the selection, processing and industrial packaging of almonds. Rural businesses are often aware that they receive a much smaller portion of their products final retail price than those further up the supply chain. Capturing more of this farm-to-retail price spread, is a goal of many producers and 'value -added' products offer a mechanism to increase rural incomes.
Objective
The objective of the investment is the installation of a new industrial plant for the blanching and processing of almonds. The plant will incorporate the latest technologies in order to achieve highest quality in the final product, with optimal hygiene conditions, environmental awareness, and responding to increasing market demand. Other added-value products will be developed such as turrón (a Spanish almond-based sweet) and ice-cream.
Main activities
Activities are: the installation of a new industrial plant for the blanching and processing of almonds; new mechanised sorting and roasting facilities; new vacuum packaging technology to improve packaging and increase accessibility of product by consumers; more on-site warehouse space for storage of the product (providing flexibility in terms of distribution times). Furthermore, the co-funding will support waste management systems, water treatment and reduction of environmental impacts.
Results & Benefits
Main results are: increased competitiveness and profitability of the industrial plant through integration of the latest technology in new machinery and equipment; improved end product and additional value-added products through facilities financed; improvement of food safety; contribution to regional development by generating wealth through direct employment creation - 47 jobs were created, 70% for women. The benefits in turn sustain demand for almonds from Spanish farmers.
Lessons learnt
Responding to increased demand through improved capacity while at the same time ensuring this is done with the latest technology; learning to combine technological innovations that integrate efficiency in production with processing with a view to sustaining environmental protection. This project has high transferability potential both to other regions and other industries.
Project location and other information
Castilla-La-Mancha / Caudete, Albacete
Region
Castilla la Mancha
RDP Territory
Castilla-la-Mancha
Total project cost (€)
23 448 241
EAFRD contribution (€)
2 836 749
National contribution (€)
797 836 (national) and 797 836 (regional)
Private contribution (€)
19 015 820
Project website
Contact name
Parque Tecnológico Empresarial de Caudete
Telephone
+34 965 826711
Languages for contact
Spanish
At a glance
Country
Spain
Final beneficiary type
Individual farmers, Producer groups, Other
Budget range
> €500 000
Start date:
01/03/2008
End Date:
30/04/2010
Theme / Measure:
Competitiveness of Agriculture & Forestry
Restructuring, developing physical potential, and promoting innovation
123. Adding value to agricultural and forestry products
Keywords:
Added-value, Food quality , Food safety, Packaging, Quality control
Last update
19/05/2011