News

Spain With Your Five Senses

29 Jun 2012

Strong Spanish Presence in European Quality Foods Program

The Spanish Food and Beverage Federation (FIAB) has announced the launch of the new program entitled, “European Quality Foods: eating with your five senses”.

This initiative serves as another, follow-up step of the Promotion of Spain in India Plan, which is sponsored in part by the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX). In this stage, focus is on the promotion of the overall quality and security of European products, many of which are protected by Protected Designation of Origin status. It’s driving philosophy is that what is good for European products overall, is good for Spain.

According to FIAB’s Economic Affairs and International Department Director, Jaime Palafox, the program’s purpose is to “build on the Plan India and help the Spanish and European (food and beverage) sector grow in the Indian market”. He explains that India, which experienced 10% growth last year alone, is a virtually untouched market for Spanish products, which are starting to enjoy a large growth in popularity.

The challenge, according to Palafox, involves educating Indians on these products by explaining what they are and how people can use them in their own kitchens and homes. However, he believes that one of the best ways to do so and to get these products on supermarket shelves, is to bring those responsible for stocking these products over to Spain, to give them a first-hand glimpse of Spanish food and culture. The current such visit, for example, involves tours of olive oil groves in Seville, dining at famed Madrid restaurant La Terraza del Casino, and of course, some authentic Spanish flamenco.

Renowned Indian chef Abhijit Saha, who joined Palafox for the presentation of this new initiative, along with Farzana Behram, of “UpperCrust” magazine, agreed that this will be a challenge, but that, “it is a great opportunity and the right time to start the promotion of Spain’s great offerings in India”.