By Andrea Hargraves 
The increase in factor prices is a “tremendous challenge” that will reflect on the entire chain – production, industry, distribution and the consumer – and the equilibrium should only reach “mid” 2022, according to the CEO of PortugalFoods.
“We are now facing a well-known situation regarding the increase in production costs, whether through increased energy, fuel or raw material shortages. There is a whole series of challenges that are emerging. At the moment, PortugalFoods CEO, Deolinda Silva, said in Lusa’s remarks that They have to do it with external factors, which we cannot control.”
At the moment, the “challenge is enormous”, specifically for agri-food, and the impact of this increase will be reflected in all links of the chain – production, industry, distribution and consumers. Only in the middle of 2022 should there be “some equilibrium”, which can be accompanied by an increase in export values.
“At this moment, the challenge facing companies is clear […]. He stressed that the industry is making great efforts to make up for the shortage of materials, as well as the huge increase in the prices of these commodities.
Deolinda Silva also highlighted the sector’s “exemplary behavior” throughout the pandemic, responding to demand, and betting on opening new markets.
On the other hand, the diversification of sales has accelerated due to the emerging corona virus, and in addition to physical stores, companies want to be present in the national and international markets. He noted that “innovation, at this moment, is the key to survival. In the medium and long term, those who do not innovate will not grow, and will not have opportunities for companies that invest in innovation.”
Regarding sector training and investment in Industry 4.0, Deolinda Silva Lusa told PortugalFoods wants to invest in the second edition of PortugalFoods_Qualifica, within the scope of Portugal 2030. The latest initiative was launched recently, which has been running for two years, with 357 thousand euros to invest, covering the chain of of training actions on topics such as the digital economy, the circular economy or financial literacy.
“This experience has been very satisfying. A lot has been done in a very short time. We want to design a new project that will allow this degree of closeness to the companies […]. We have to wait for the specific notifications [do Portugal 2030] been launched. We still have no idea how much will happen, but our view is that this will happen during the first quarter of 2022,” he said.
This new version should continue the topics already discussed, and introduce others, after consulting the companies. He declared, “Digital transformation and the green transition will remain in our lexicon and actions, but there will also be other topics such as balanced supply chain management.”
PortugalFoods has more than 150 members, including companies and entities of the national scientific system in the agri-food sector and other related entities.