The new president of INTERACEITUNA is leading a high-impact strategic and commercial campaign in India involving an investment of over €1.5 million, which will bolster the sector’s international diversification
Julio Roda assumed office as the new president of INTERACEITUNA following the General Assembly held on 25 March, succeeding Ricardo Serra. His first official act as head of the interprofessional organisation was to lead a progress meeting for the cooperation agreement between INTERACEITUNA and Andalucía TRADE for the promotion of table olives in India, a high-impact strategic campaign that is expected to involve an investment of over €1.5 million in a single year.
“I assume this responsibility with unwavering determination and commitment. My priority is to strengthen the unity of the sector, enhance its global competitiveness, and build sustainable value for table olives in international markets. INTERACEITUNA and all the professionals who work there have my full dedication. I am convinced that this campaign in India is a strategic necessity to consolidate our presence in emerging markets and to continue projecting Spanish olives as a global gold standard,” stated Julio Roda, CEO of Agrosevilla and the new president of INTERACEITUNA.
The meeting, held at the headquarters of Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias in Seville, was attended by Carolina España, Andalusia Executive Minister of Economy and President of Andalucía TRADE; José Manuel Alba, Secretary General of Economy; Antonio Castro, Director General of Andalucía TRADE; Ricardo Serra, former President of INTERACEITUNA; Francisco Fernández, National Head of Table Olives at COAG; Francisco Moreno, Secretary of Innovation at UPA-Andalucía; Joaquín de la Puerta, Director of INTERACEITUNA; and Antonio de Mora, Secretary General of ASEMESA.
The campaign’s first phase features a joint budget of €821,493, co-financed by INTERACEITUNA (€426,377, 52%) and Andalucía TRADE (€394,317, 48%). The agreement also includes a six-month extension that will permit a total investment exceeding €1.5 million within a year. This initiative aims to bolster the international expansion of table olives and diversify their markets, mitigating the impact of recent US trade tariffs.
At the General Assembly on 25 March, changes to the INTERACEITUNA Governing Board were also approved: Julio Roda as President; Verónica Romero, Vice-President; Francisco Fernández, Second Vice-President; José Pedro Guzmán, Secretary; and Antonio de Mora, Treasurer. This transition marks the end of a period characterised by the sector’s international projection, led by Ricardo Serra, who managed over €20 million in campaigns and fostered numerous collaboration agreements with organisations such as TRADE, ICEX, Avante, and the European Commission.
The collaboration between INTERACEITUNA and Andalucía TRADE consolidates the sector’s international strategy, expanding the presence of Spanish olives in emerging markets and reinforcing the “Olives from Spain” brand abroad, with active promotional efforts in countries such as Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the United States, Russia, Poland, France and the United Kingdom.