The President of the Basque Commmunity Imanol Pradales reaffirms commitment to protecting the Basque primary and agri-food sector

• Last year, the Basque Country exported primary sector products to the United States worth 40 million euros.
• President Imanol Pradales highlighted Eroski’s ongoing commitment to local suppliers and regional products.
• During his visit to the Eroski headquarters in Elorrio, the President emphasised the strategic role of the agri-food sector.

This morning, President Imanol Pradales, alongside the Basque Minister for Food, Rural Development and Food, Amaia Barredo, visited the Eroski headquarters and logistics platform in Elorrio to mark the company’s 50th anniversary. Following the visit, the President underlined the vital importance of the agri-food sector to both the economic and social development of the Basque Country.

In his remarks, the President voiced his concerns about the impact of tariff measures introduced by the Trump administration particularly on sectors such as wine, dairy products, and canned fish. In response, he assured that the Basque Government would continue its active dialogue with Madrid, Paris, and Brussels to defend the interests of the Basque primary sector.

“We are in constant communication with Basque businesses and stakeholders to address the consequences of the Trump administration’s tariffs. We are deeply concerned. There is a lot at stake, especially in the wine, dairy, and canned fish industries. Last year, we exported goods worth over 40 million euros. Please know that you are not alone. Your concerns are ours. We will defend you strongly, wherever necessary,” the President affirmed.

At its next meeting, the Governing Council will assess the areas in which support and protective measures will be introduced for sectors most affected by the tariff dispute. Furthermore, this Wednesday, the Industrial Defence Group will bring together the Basque companies most impacted by these measures, alongside social agents, clusters, and Basque institutions, to share and promote strategies for mitigation.

President Pradales underscored the agri-food sector’s role as a significant job creator, stabiliser of territorial balance, and driver of sustainability. “The Basque agri-food sector is a cornerstone of our economy and well-being. Its development must be based on four core principles: Salubrity, Safety, Singularity, and Sustainability. Collaboration between institutions, companies, and producers is key to achieving these goals,” stated Pradales.

He also emphasised the ongoing need for collaboration with strategic partners like Eroski, which, in the first half of 2024, purchased local products worth more than 242 million euros.

The Basque Government and Eroski are set to renew their collaboration agreement, originally signed in 2007 and renewed in 2013 and 2022. This agreement aims to strengthen and advance the Basque agri-food industry by supporting local production, promoting healthy eating, and adopting sustainable practices across the entire value chain.

During his visit, Pradales congratulated Eroski on its five decades of history and its commitment to local products and the regional economy. He praised the cooperative as a “key driver of the Basque agri-food chain,” recognising its work with more than 350 local suppliers and the offering of over 6,800 local products in its stores.