The Government of Navarre has declared the initiative of this Navarre-based family business, a leader in the agri-food sector in the region, a “Project of Regional Interest”. In this regard, the Minister for Industry and Ecological and Digital Business Transition, Mikel Irujo, highlighted that the proposal will foster the development of the agri-food industry in Navarre while promoting employment in the area — particularly among women, as the company expects around 50% of the new jobs to be filled by women.
Irujo also underlined the “advancements in innovation and sustainability” that this investment by Congelados de Navarra represents, as it will allow the integration of cutting-edge procedures and facilities to optimise processes, reduce energy consumption, and lower emissions. The expansion of the Arguedas plant includes the construction of a new automated cold storage facility for frozen products, a packaging hall, and an expedition area, along with a warehouse for auxiliary materials and a new wastewater treatment plant.
This investment project has been assessed by the Industry Promotion Service, which deemed it significant due to its impact on job creation and the need to support its development. As Irujo pointed out, “this is a strategic, high-impact investment with far-reaching implications for both Congelados de Navarra and the region.”
PROJECT DETAILS
Congelados de Navarra will carry out the expansion on newly acquired plots from the public company Nasuvinsa in the S-15 Sector of Arguedas, covering a total area of 62,259.77 square metres. The new automated cold storage facility will have a capacity of approximately 56,160 pallets and will be built alongside an expedition area with automated docking bays. The packaging hall will accommodate nine production lines and technical rooms. Additionally, a warehouse for auxiliary materials and a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 1,500 cubic metres per day will also be constructed.
From an economic perspective, this investment is seen as “crucial to revitalising the local economy and development”, as it will generate direct and indirect employment in a town with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants and its surrounding area, which has a strong agricultural presence. The project will also contribute to integrating the primary sector into the value chain and to its professionalisation and strengthening. It further reflects a commitment to regional cohesion and wealth generation in rural areas.
From a sustainability standpoint, the investment stands out for its focus on process and resource optimisation, with a significant reduction in energy consumption and efficient water management. The new automated cold storage unit is fully aligned with energy efficiency standards and contributes to transport and emissions savings by eliminating the need to move production to external storage facilities. Increasing the Arguedas plant’s capacity will also reduce internal transport between sites, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions in line with carbon footprint reduction goals. Furthermore, the installation of a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant will allow for more efficient and environmentally friendly water treatment, helping preserve local water resources.
Additionally, the new high-efficiency cold storage unit with greater storage capacity will optimise internal logistics, always in line with the highest food safety standards that define the company — crucial for maintaining consumer and international market confidence.
The €59,514,882.60 investment planned by the company will be carried out in several phases, with work expected to begin in 2025 and conclude by the end of 2027. Of the total budget, 58% is earmarked for machinery, 21% for construction, 13.5% for facilities, and 7.5% for licences and other expenses.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE AGRI-FOOD SECTOR
Navarre’s companies cover the entire value chain from primary production to the agri-food industry. Notable names include Spain’s two largest frozen vegetable producers (Ultracongelados Virto and Congelados de Navarra), the country’s leading grain cooperative group (Grupo AN), the global leader in the manufacture and sale of casings for food products (Viscofan), whose products are sold in over 100 countries, and the top fresh salad and ready-to-eat vegetable brand in Spain (Florette). The region also hosts leading multinationals such as General Mills, Gelagri, Mondelez, and Agrozumos. More information is available at the following link.
Source: Navarra Capital