The Generalitat, Catalonia’s government, has recognised Ametller Origen’s Agroparc Penedès as a strategic project for its “singularity and innovation” in the Catalan food ecosystem, according to the company. The 258-hectare development lies across Gelida and Sant Llorenç d’Hortons in Alt Penedès.

For residents and jobseekers in the two municipalities, the project is planned as a major food production and distribution site. Ametller Origen has forecast 3,100 jobs, including 1,000 direct posts, and a total investment of €180 million.

“The Agroparc is one of the leading projects in the transformation of agriculture,” Industry Minister Jordi Hereu said during a visit to the site, describing it as one of the most important projects in Catalonia, Spain and potentially southern Europe for its approach to integration and circular economy.

Can Joncoses works resume after court clarification

Urbanisation works in the Can Joncoses sector resumed after Ametller Origen received notification from Barcelona Contentious-Administrative Court No. 3, an administrative court, confirming that the works were viable, according to the company.

The court document, partially released by Ametller Origen, states that the urbanisation works are expressly permitted by the documents forming the Strategic Environmental Declaration issued during the planning process by the Generalitat’s Wildlife and Flora Service.

The works had been suspended as a precaution after Naturalistes de Gelida, an environmental group, sought interim measures to protect two endangered eagle species. Ametller Origen said the environmental documentation includes compensatory measures for the Bonelli’s eagle, including a purpose-designed new habitat.

First phase tied to €5 million PERTE grant

Once Can Joncoses has been urbanised, Ametller Origen says its priorities are to build its food-production facility and energy infrastructure. The first phase has a €60 million budget and must be completed by December 2026 to meet the conditions attached to almost €5 million in aid from Spain’s PERTE Agroalimentario programme.

  • Land area: 258 hectares between Gelida and Sant Llorenç d’Hortons.
  • Total planned investment: €180 million.
  • First-phase investment: €60 million, including production and energy infrastructure.
  • Planned employment: 3,100 jobs, of which 1,000 are forecast to be direct.

The planned complex includes technologically equipped greenhouses, photovoltaic panels and partially underground buildings, according to information reported on the Generalitat’s strategic-project recognition. Ametller Origen previously said the development is designed to combine food production, processing and distribution.

The company has said the first phase must be finished by December 2026 under the PERTE funding conditions.

Reported by Redacció / La Bústia, Maria Teresa Coca, Eduardo López Alonso, El Periódico, Carlos Garfella, europapress.es, foodretail.es, viaempresa.cat, lavanguardia.com, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, VIA Empresa.