Why global food leaders choose Catalonia

At Alimentaria 2026, leading international companies shared why Catalonia has become a key hub for the global food industry. From Danone and Kellogg’s to the Finnish group Paulig, the message is clear: talent, innovation and strategic location make the difference.

A powerful ecosystem of talent and innovation

Catalonia stands out for its ability to connect talent, technology and innovation: a combination that global companies increasingly value. “Barcelona is the perfect ecosystem for Danone because here we can connect the dots between talent, innovation and technology,” says Francesc Casajuana, General Secretary & Counsel at Danone Iberia.

“Barcelona is the perfect ecosystem for Danone because it connects the dots between talent, innovation and technology”

Francesc Casajuana, General Secretary & Counsel at Danone Iberia

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This strong talent base is also highlighted by Kellogg’s (Mars Snacking). Jaume Valls, Plant Director, says: “Catalonia has the best qualified talent in the food industry. It is also a place where foreign talent wants to come for work.”

For Alberto Barsanti, Managing Director for Spain at Paulig, Barcelona’s international appeal is equally important: “Barcelona is an international city that offers a lot of international talent to companies like ours.”

A strategic hub for international growth

Beyond talent, Catalonia offers a prime location for companies looking to grow across Europe and beyond. “Barcelona and Catalonia offer the perfect combination of talent and a site which is very strategic for the southern European markets,” explains Alberto Barsanti.

The region is not only a gateway to Southern Europe but also a base for global operations. Danone, for instance, was founded in Barcelona more than 100 years ago and still maintains a strong presence: “Barcelona means a lot for Danone. Here we have our headquarters at Iberia level.”

Alimentaria: connecting the global food industry

Alimentaria continues to play a key role in positioning Catalonia on the global stage. “If I have to summarise over these 50 years of history with Alimentaria, the word is innovation,” says Francesc Casajuana from Danone.

For Mars, the event is essential to build connections and stay ahead of trends: “It’s always been useful to find partners, engage with suppliers and understand where the food industry is heading.”

And for Paulig, it is a strategic platform for growth in the region: “We see Alimentaria as a huge opportunity to boost the awareness of Paulig Group in the southern part of Europe.”

Catalonia, shaping the future of food

With a unique mix of qualified talent, innovation capacity and international connectivity, Catalonia is consolidating its position as one of Europe’s leading food hubs.

International companies looking to establish or expand in the region can rely on Catalonia Trade & Investment, which provides tailored support -from business landing and site location to partner search and access to talent- helping ensure a smooth and successful investment process.

As Jaume Valls highlights: “Catalonia has the knowledge and the companies to develop new technologies and lead the journey on digitalization.” From Barcelona, global companies are not only growing -they are shaping the future of the food industry.