Regional Minister of Industry and ASTUREX Chairman Introduction
Asturias is a region that has always been characterized by its varied and succulent gastronomy a consequence of the diversity and quality of its products. This has led us to organize this Ist Agricultural International Forum whose main objective is to show the potential of the Asturian companies and of our region in one of the most traditional and selective sectors in the Principality of Asturias.
The Asturian vegetable garden, the grasslands, the forests, the rivers, the sea, they are sources of raw materials that combined with traditional or innovative recipes, together with the new technologies, have given origin to an agricultural industry in which the fundamental characteristic is the great quality of the raw materials, that which has guided the productions toward the "gourmet" sector, in which the quality prevails above the production to a great scale.
Many of these raw materials have had their prestige recognized by means of diverse stamps of quality and national and international prizes. At the present time Asturias has 13 Denominations of Origin and 2 Protected Geographical Indications for cheeses, ciders, sausages, vegetables, foods of ecological production. These protection systems, in charge of looking after the execution of some strict requirements, allow to assure the great quality of our products, and they suppose a competitive advantage at the time of their commercialization.
Inside the traditional sectors, the agricultural industry is one of those of more weight in the Asturian economy. It reaches 14% of the figure of business of the industrial sector and 13% of the employment, being the third branch of activity that generates the most employment and billing in the industry.
In these pages you will find reflected a magnificent selection of agricultural industries of Asturias and be able to know, in a brief and summarized way, each one of the 51 Asturian companies that you will be able to visit, as well as the products that you can taste and sample during the celebration of this Forum.
Therefore, welcome to the 1st Agricultural Forum and welcome to the Principality of Asturias. We hope sincerely hope your stay with us fulfills all expectations.
Graciano Torre
Consejero de Industria y Empleo
Presidente de ASTUREX
