We interview Cristina Ramírez, Director at Vitartis, who analyzes the challenges and opportunities of the agri-food sector in Castilla y León — a key region for the Spanish food industry.
Cristina Ramírez is the Director at Vitartis, an association that brings together more than 150 companies and institutions from the agri-food ecosystem in Castilla y León.
Having been involved with the organization since its inception, she has witnessed first-hand the evolution of the sector in this autonomous community, one of the largest regions in the European Union. We spoke with her about the role of new technologies, innovation and talent as drivers of this transformation.
Interview with Cristina Ramírez, Director at Vitartis
Given your background and experience at Vitartis, how would you describe the sector’s evolution in recent years?
The evolution has been very positive. The agri-food industry has become one of the main economic engines of Castilla y León. It accounts for over 30% of the region’s industrial activity, generates more than 50,000 jobs, and has a strong presence in rural areas: 45% of the companies are located in municipalities with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants. This makes it a strategic sector not only economically, but also socially and territorially.
What would you say are the main challenges for the sector today?
There are many, but I would highlight two in particular. The first is the need to scale up. Most companies in the sector are SMEs or micro-enterprises, which limits their ability to take on large-scale projects in areas such as digitalization, innovation, internationalization, or sustainability.
The second is attracting talent. While the sector retains professionals well, it is difficult to attract new profiles. At Vitartis, we work to better communicate the reality and the opportunities the sector offers — especially to younger generations.
What role does technology play in attracting talent?
A very significant one. Younger generations are looking for innovative, flexible, tech-driven environments. Digital transformation not only improves efficiency and sustainability, but also helps create more attractive workplaces that align with the expectations of new professionals.
Where does the sector currently stand in terms of digital maturity?
Digital maturity is very uneven; there are companies that are highly advanced and others that are just beginning.
Awareness of the need to digitize is widespread, but major barriers remain: limited scale, lack of investment capacity, shortage of qualified personnel to lead this transformation and implement technologies, and in some cases, resistance to change.
That said, we are seeing steady progress, even among small companies that are committed to adopting technology to boost their competitiveness.
What do partnerships between associations like yours and technology companies such as Mapex contribute to the industrial digitalization process?
They are essential. Thanks to these partnerships, companies in the sector can more easily discover and implement technological solutions.
It’s not just about accessing tools like yours, but also having support to drive cultural change, training, and the integration of technology into their processes. That’s why Vitartis actively promotes this kind of collaboration.
What is your vision for the agri-food industry in Castilla y León in the coming years?
I hope we will see a sector with greater scale, more digitalization, and international projection into new markets. Innovation will continue to lead the way, always guided by consumer demand. And Vitartis will continue to play a key role in supporting, connecting, and energizing companies so they can adapt and grow sustainably.
Vitartis is the Agri-food Industry Association of Castilla y León. It brings together more than 150 members — including companies like Galletas Gullón and Campofrío, technology partners such as the University of Salamanca, and other service providers like Mapex — with the goal of boosting innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness across the region’s agri-food sector.
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