Spain

Garden Gourmet launches marketing campaign in Spain

Ada Parellada. © Nestlé Professional
Marketing & Media

Garden Gourmet Targets Spanish Restaurants With New Campaign Featuring Chefs & Influencers

Garden Gourmet, a plant-based brand by Nestlé, has launched a new digital campaign in Spain to promote the use of its plant proteins on restaurant menus. As part of the campaign, chefs and food influencers will create dishes using a selection of Garden Gourmet products, from beet falafel to meatballs and vegan mince. Among them will be Ada Parellada, a chef with a commitment to sustainability and healthy eating, and Paula Marín, who is said to make dishes that combine art and gastronomy. Food critic and culinary content creator Danny Salas and food content creator and communicator Celeste García de la Banda will also be involved in the campaign. “Products designed for the restaurant industry” In March, Nestlé opened a new facility in Serbia to …

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Plant Based Treaty

© Plant Based Treaty
Charity & Campaigns

El Masnou Becomes Second Spanish City to Endorse the Plant Based Treaty

El Masnou, a municipality in Catalonia, has formally endorsed the Plant Based Treaty, making it the second city in Spain to join the global initiative. The motion, passed on June 19, 2025, by the city council with a majority vote of 17 in favor and two against, places emphasis on transitioning towards plant-based food systems to address climate change, public health, and animal welfare. Living in a climate emergency The resolution, introduced by Councillor Sergi Amat Giró of Fem Masnou, recognizes the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors, including food production. “We are living in a climate emergency that requires rapid, deep, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gases. This means not only addressing emissions from energy sources but also recognizing the essential …

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better balance papa johns 2

© Better Balance
Food Service

Better Balance to Supply Plant-Based Proteins for Papa John’s Pizzas in Spain and Portugal

Better Balance, a plant-based protein supplier under the Sigma Group, has entered into a strategic partnership with Papa John’s to expand its plant-based menu options across Spain and Portugal, meeting the rising demand for plant-based alternatives in the foodservice industry. Under the agreement, Better Balance will supply plant-based protein products for two of Papa John’s vegan pizza offerings—Green Ranch and Green BBQ—along with a plant-based starter in the form of vegetable fingers. The plant-based protein options include a combination of wheat, soy, and pea proteins, which Better Balance has developed to provide a balanced nutritional profile without compromising on taste. Bringing plant-based to the masses “Partnering with a recognized brand like Papa John’s gives us a valuable opportunity to bring plant-based eating to a wider …

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Almond milk stock

Photo: Towfiqu barbhuiya on Pexels
Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

Vast Majority of Nutrition Professionals in Spain & Portugal Say Plant-Based Dairy Can Be Part of a Healthy Diet

New surveys conducted by the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) in Spain and Portugal have indicated that there is strong support for plant-based dairy alternatives among nutrition professionals. In Spain, 88% of professionals agreed that plant-based alternatives can be part of a healthy diet, while 78% supported their inclusion in the national dietary guidelines. Results were similar in Portugal — 93% said plant-based products can be incorporated into healthy diets, and 76% were in favour of their inclusion in dietary guidelines. However, 81% of nutrition professionals in Spain and 96% in Portugal believed that dairy alternatives should be fortified with vitamins and/or minerals. Furthermore, the vast majority in both countries agreed that the nutritional value of the products depends on the type of plant used. …

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Somenoya partners with Villarreal CF

© Somenoya
Fairs & Events

Spanish Football Team Villarreal CF to Begin Serving Tofu to Players in Partnership With Japanese Company Somenoya

Somenoya Co., Ltd., a traditional Japanese tofu company founded in 1862, recently partnered with football team Villarreal CF and the Embassy of Japan in Spain to host a tofu seminar. The event took place at Villarreal CF’s stadium, Estadio de la Cerámica. The team has been promoting dietary diversity, and is considering incorporating tofu as a plant-based protein suitable for vegan and halal diets. However, the team’s Medical Director, Mr. Héctor Usó, had struggled to find a tofu in Europe whose taste satisfied him until he tried Somenoya’s authentic Japanese product. After discovering the tofu, he agreed to the hosting of the event, which began with an explanation of what tofu is and the differences between Japanese and European tofu. Chef Kenichi Yanome, owner of …

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Plant Based Treaty

© Plant Based Treaty
Charity & Campaigns

Parla Becomes First Spanish City to Endorse Plant Based Treaty

Parla has become the first city in Spain and the 40th in the world to endorse the call for a global Plant Based Treaty. The motion was introduced by Más Madrid’s Miguel Fuentes, a portfolio holder for ecological transition, youth, and sustainable mobility. It passed at the Plenary Session of the Parla City Council on May 14, 2025, with 14 votes in favour and 11 against. In the motion, Parla acknowledges that animal agriculture “contributes disproportionately to climate change, biodiversity loss, water and air pollution, and food and land injustice”. “Systemic changes are needed to transition from a food model based on exploitation to one that cares for the planet, people, and animals,” said Fuentes. “Joining the Plant Based Treaty is a first step.” The …

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ODS Protein

© ODS Protein
Fungi, Mushrooms & Mycelium

ODS Protein Develops Mycoprotein Ingredients from Fermentation of Agro-Food Byproducts

ODS Protein is a Spanish B2B company specializing in the production of mycoprotein derived from filamentous fungi through fermentation processes. The company utilizes agro-food byproducts as substrates, integrating circular economy principles to valorize food industry side streams. ODS Protein focuses on creating sustainable, functional, and nutritious protein alternatives for diverse applications across the food sector. Fermentation cuts resources The company employs fermentation technology to cultivate filamentous fungi, producing a mycoprotein ingredient marketed under the brand name Nawa. The production process is resource-efficient, requiring considerably less water, land, and energy compared to conventional animal or plant protein systems. The mycoprotein produced features a fibrous structure formed by fungal mycelium, offering textural properties similar to meat. The fermentation process is adaptable, allowing the customization of nutritional profiles, …

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© Cocuus
Manufacturing & Technology

New Multilayer System from Cocuus Enables Fat Marbling and Textural Variety in Plant-Based Products

Spanish food tech firm Cocuus has launched a new manufacturing platform designed to enhance the structural and sensory qualities of alternative protein products. The technology, called AMS (Adaptive Multilayer System), departs from traditional meat analog processing techniques, offering a method that allows for more complex composition and presentation. The AMS system uses a multi-directional dosing tool guided by advanced software, which lets producers control things like movement, speed, and output with precision. This makes it possible to create plant-based foods that have varied textures and layers of different ingredients in a single product, improving how the food looks, feels, and tastes. Cocuus CEO Miguel Arbeloa explained, “Most of the technologies used for plant-based products are based in meat industry procedures or extrusion. This is something …

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Juicy Marbles launches in Spain in partnership with Zyrcular Foods

© Juicy Marbles
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

Juicy Marbles’ Pioneering Plant-Based Whole Cuts Arrive in Spain in Partnership With Zyrcular Foods

Juicy Marbles, the Slovenian creator of highly realistic plant-based whole cuts, is launching its full range in Spain in partnership with alternative protein distributor and producer Zyrcular Foods. Through the collaboration, Juicy Marbles’ plant-based meats will arrive at supermarkets, specialty stores, and restaurants throughout the country. The launch follows the brand’s success in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, and Sweden, among other markets. Juicy Marbles first began to attract attention in 2021 with the launch of what was claimed to be the world’s first “marbled” plant-based steak. Sold in single, uniform cuts with thousands of “muscle” fibers, the brand’s products can be sliced, shredded, cut into chunks, or cooked whole. Since they are raw and unseasoned, they can be incorporated into a variety of recipes, …

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Heura receives funding from European Investment Bank

© Heura
Investments & Finance

Heura Secures €20M From the European Investment Bank, Expects to Reach Profitability in Q4 2025

Spanish plant-based brand Heura has secured €20 million in funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The capital will enable the company to accelerate its mission of expanding beyond plant-based meat, developing a new generation of products with improved nutritional density in mass-consumption categories. Heura says the funding demonstrates significant institutional support for its model, which is driven by science, sustainability, and health. The news comes after Heura opened an Innovation Hub in Barcelona’s 22@ district this January. At the time, the brand announced plans to register six new patents over the following nine months. “This financing agreement with Heura is a clear example of how the EIB is stepping up its support for companies that are at the forefront of the bioeconomy sector, driving …

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Alternative Protein Shopper/ Consumer with Basket

Image: Gorodenkoff - stock.adobe.com
Studies & Numbers

Three-Quarters of Spaniards Say Plant-Based Labeling is Clear and Not Misleading

A new study has revealed that 76.9% of Spaniards are able to easily distinguish whether a product is of plant or animal origin, while 71.8% believe plant-based products have clear and understandable labeling regarding their ingredients and characteristics. Conducted by Vegeta/es, the Spanish Association of Producers of Vegetable Foods and Beverages, in collaboration with the research institute Más Métrica, the study concludes that three out of four Spanish consumers believe the labeling of plant-based foods makes them easier to identify at points of sale. 82.9% said terms such as “plant-based burger” accurately describe the nature of the product, while 80.9% believed that such labeling allowed for more informed purchasing decisions. A growing market The research also appears to confirm that the Spanish plant-based market is …

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School Children Cafeteria Lunch

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Health

Plant-Based Menus to Be Available at Spanish Schools as Government Approves Healthy & Sustainable Cafeterias Decree

Menus at Spanish schools are set to be transformed after the government’s Council of Ministers approved the Royal Decree on Healthy and Sustainable School Cafeterias. The initiative aims to ensure that students at public, state-subsidized, and private schools have access to a nutritious, varied diet aligned with official health recommendations. It will guarantee five healthy meals a week to all children, regardless of family income. Notably, the law will protect children’s right to a 100% plant-based menu in schools, and where this is not possible, schools will be required to provide the means to refrigerate and heat food that students bring from home. The initiative will also mandate increased consumption of legumes, setting weekly servings in line with the recommendations of scientific and health organizations. …

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Heura chicken-style fine herbs burger

© Heura
Products & Launches

Heura Launches Chicken-Style Fine Herbs Burger With “Unprecedented Juiciness”

Spanish plant-based meat brand Heura has announced the launch of a new chicken-style innovation, the Fine Herbs Burger. The product is said to have the same amount of protein as a conventional chicken burger, but contains fiber and healthy fats to provide “unprecedented juiciness”. It is designed to replicate the sensory experience of white meat, with no cholesterol or trans fats and low levels of sodium and saturated fat. The chicken-style burger aims to cater to the tastes of Spanish consumers, many of whom have a preference for white meat as a protein source. There are already some signs that acceptance of plant-based products is growing in the country; recent research by Heura reportedly found that 40% of Spaniards identify legumes and their derivatives — …

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YOSOY matcha avena

© YOSOY
Milk- and Dairy Alternatives

YOSOY Taps Matcha Trend with Barista Oat Drink Collaboration with Matcha & CO

Spanish plant-based beverage brand YOSOY, has partnered with Matcha & CO, to introduce a new ready-to-drink oat matcha beverage. The product, called “YOSOY Barista Matcha Avena,” is the first of several new offerings planned by YOSOY this year and is designed to cater to the rising demand for matcha in Europe. The new drink will be available in select supermarkets, including Carrefour, El Corte Inglés, and Ahorramas, with a retail price of €2.49 per unit. The drink combines organic matcha sourced from Uji, Kyoto (Japan) with YOSOY’s barista oat drink, offering a creamy, smooth texture without added sugars, additives, or gluten. Marketed as an easy-to-consume option for those looking for a quick matcha latte, the product is available in a 1-liter format, ideal for both …

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Quevana

© Quevana
Cheese Alternatives

Spain-Based Quevana Opens High-Capacity Plant for Cashew Cheese Production

Quevana has opened a new 2,400-square-meter facility in the province of Segovia, Spain, establishing one of the largest cashew cheese production sites in Europe. The site, located in the rural municipality of Vallelado, is expected to produce over 400,000 units of fermented plant-based cheese per month. The facility, converted from a former meat processing plant closed since 2013, will serve as the company’s central hub for the production of its semi-aged, organic cashew-based cheeses. The plant meets IFS food safety standards and is fully certified organic. Alejandro Álvarez Rubio, CEO and co-founder of Quevana, stated that the expansion addresses the company’s growing operational needs. “This is a historic step in the development of our company and will allow us to keep growing with our existing …

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CNTA AgrilFoodtech sandbox

© CNTA (National Center for Food Technology and Safety)
Agriculture / Agribusiness

Spain Launches Europe’s First AgriFoodtech Sandbox to Drive Technological Advancements in Food Production

The Spanish government, alongside the regional governments of Navarra and La Rioja, has introduced Europe’s first AgriFoodtech Sandbox, designed to accelerate technological advancements in the agrifood industry. Managed by the National Center for Food Technology and Safety (CNTA), the initiative will offer a controlled environment where innovative products, processes, and technologies can be tested under regulatory oversight. The sandbox will allow startups, companies, and industry groups to experiment with novel approaches in the agrifood value chain. These include new ingredients, food preservation methods, packaging strategies, and ways to enhance resource use and waste recovery. Through this initiative, selected projects will gain access to CNTA’s scientific and technological resources, as well as regulatory support to validate and refine their innovations. Spain takes the lead The launch …

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Sergio Fabregat, director de F4F - Expo Foodtech © F4F - Expo Foodtech
Fairs & Events

Food 4 Future: “We Believe That Progress Happens When All Stakeholders Sit at the Same Table”

Sergio Fabregat, with a background in Business Administration from the University of Barcelona and an Executive Master in Marketing and Sales from ESADE, is the driving force behind two of Spain’s food innovation events: F4F – Expo Foodtech in Bilbao and the newly launched Expo Agritech in Málaga. As the Event Director, Fabregat plays a pivotal role in shaping platforms that connect key stakeholders across the food tech value chain. In this interview, we spoke with him about the role of F4F in accelerating innovation in the fields of new proteins, biotechnology, and cellular agriculture. He shares insights on the event’s key program highlights for trade visitors, the industry players and markets in focus, and how Food 4 Future is helping to shape the future …

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SWAP Food chicken

© SWAP Food
Products & Launches

Heura and SWAP Launch Plant-Based Chicken Fillet Across 2,000 European Supermarkets

Heura and SWAP have jointly launched a plant-based fillet across major supermarkets in France, Spain, and Portugal. The product, named “Suprême,” is now available in more than 2,000 retail outlets, including Carrefour, Leclerc, Monoprix, Intermarché, and Super U. The rollout will continue through June 2025. The product is a result of a collaboration between Barcelona-based Heura and French food tech company SWAP, previously known as Umiami. The Suprême is manufactured in France and developed to replicate the taste and texture of chicken breast using only plant-based ingredients. It contains seven ingredients and provides 20 grams of protein per serving, earning a Nutri-Score A. This marks SWAP’s first entry into the mass retail market. “This partnership with Heura marks a key milestone for SWAP: our entry …

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Food 4 Future expo foodtech

© Food 4 Future
Fairs & Events

Expo Foodtech 2025 to Feature Innovations from 250 Companies, 320 Experts, and Top Startups in Foodtech

The 2025 edition of F4F – Expo Foodtech and Pick&Pack will be held from May 13 to 15 in Bilbao, Spain, bringing together industry professionals from the food and beverage sector. The event will focus on addressing the latest technological advancements in food production, logistics, and packaging. More than 250 exhibiting companies and 320 international experts are set to showcase and discuss solutions aimed at improving productivity, sustainability, and efficiency in food production and distribution. The event will feature innovations in automation, robotics, and digitalization. Key topics will include the impact of artificial intelligence on production systems, intelligent processing, quality control, and energy efficiency within production facilities. Additionally, solutions for reducing food waste and enhancing product safety will be discussed. The focus on decarbonization tools …

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Allbiotech reactor

© Allbiotech
Fermentation

Allbiotech Introduces Cost-Effective Bioreactor for Precision Fermentation Research

Spanish biotech startup Allbiotech Biotechnologies has completed the first production run of its Genesys V1 bioreactor, a lower-cost alternative for precision fermentation research. The company aims to make bioreactor technology more accessible to food tech startups, research institutions, and universities by offering a system priced at one-third of the cost of traditional pharmaceutical bioreactors. With a 1-liter glass vessel, integrated sensors, and five peristaltic pumps, Genesys V1 is designed for early-stage testing, process optimization, and scale-up research in food production. Allbiotech was founded in 2024 with the goal of reducing the cost barrier associated with precision fermentation equipment. “A cost-optimized design, coupled with our experience in manufacturing high-tech equipment, has allowed us to realize a new generation of bioreactors. We are thus eliminating the economic …

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