The Government presents the strategy for promoting local products for the next three years

The regional minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment, Joan Simonet, accompanied by the general director of Agri-Food Quality and Local Products, Joan Llabrés, has detailed today in a press conference the main lines of the strategy for promoting local products in the Balearic Islands for the next three years (2025 - 2027). In this sense, the regional minister has explained that the main objective of the Plan is to improve the marketing conditions of local products, "which is one of the difficulties that the primary sector currently has." Also, Simonet has stressed, the strategy is focused on increasing the market share and exports of agri-food products from the Balearic Islands, as well as increasing the consumption of local products in the public sector. He also recalled that the Plan includes "one of the demands that the primary sector claimed during the protests a year ago, in which they asked for more recognition, promotion and incentives for the consumption of local agri-food products."

The Plan has a budget of 4,611,293.02 euros. The majority, a total of 3,258,293.02 euros, is financed by the Sustainable Tourism Tax (ITS). The rest, with funds from the General Directorate of Agri-Food Quality and Local Product. For his part, the general director Joan Llabrés has pointed out that, "until now, the promotion of local products has never had such a high budget." In addition, Llabrés has pointed out that "the investment of 4.6 million euros places the Balearic Islands in the average investment of other autonomous communities in terms of the promotion of local products. A fact that shows that the Balearic Islands were underfunded in this aspect."

Similarly, the Minister Simonet has highlighted that "the Administration has to support the primary sector and make the local agri-food product known to the population, with the main objective of increasing its demand, a fact that, without a doubt, will help to improve the profitability of the agricultural holdings of the Balearic Islands."

The document, which was already approved by the sector last December, is structured into five programmes and each of them deploys different projects and actions. The Plan includes lines that have already been implemented by the General Directorate of Agri-food Quality and Local Product, such as the definition of Local Product and the creation of the distinctive. The second line of action is focused on promoting the local product in the internal market and foresees, among other things, the promotion in local fairs and the public purchase of local product. The third is based on promoting food and tourism fairs in the external market. It also involves carrying out communication campaigns in third countries. The last two blocks of action are related to training and improving knowledge. Both from the educational and business perspectives. In addition to evaluating the impact of the promotion policies.

Presence at fairs

On the other hand, during the press conference, the opportunity was also taken to explain the presence that the Ministry will have at the different fairs in the coming months to promote the archipelago's agri-food products. Thus, it should be remembered that last week the Government attended Fitur (22-26 January), where for the first time it had an enogastronomic space that served to highlight the local product as a differential element in the promotion of tourism. A total of 25 live cooking sessions were held, dedicated to different local products.

The presence at the fairs will continue next month with the Barcelona Wine Week (3-5 February). Under the organisation of the General Directorate of Agri-Food Quality and Local Product, 33 wineries from Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza will attend. Also in February (3-5 February) the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment will have its own stand at the Horeca Baleares Fair, where food producers will be able to exhibit their products. In addition, for the first time, the Balearic Islands will have a space at the international Vinexpo fair in Paris (10-12 February). An event that is a benchmark for the wine sector and in which 20 wineries from Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza will be present.

In March, and within the framework of the Day of the Balearic Islands, the Local Product Fair will take place. The Government will also attend the ITB in Berlin and the World Olive Oil Exhibition in Madrid. In April, the Regional Ministry will carry out its own promotional action for the German market and will have its own stand at the Salón Gourmets in Madrid.