SMEs THAT SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL TRADE

SMEs THAT SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL TRADE

The Representation of the European Commission in Madrid has proposed to Spanish companies to collaborate in a project contributing their experiences on export in markets where the European Union has free trade agreements and has thought of the Extremeña de Ajos Cooperative to give their opinion.

For us it is a very interesting proposal, given the successful export experience we have.

The project is called "SMEs that support international trade." This is an interactive map of Spain that includes SMEs from all Autonomous Communities and from all economic sectors. You can see it at the following link https://ec.europa.eu/spain/business-funding/trade_en

The Cooperativa Extremeña de Ajos, ​​in the voice of our Manager, Mr. Carlos Dobado Marcos, has told about the experience in commercial relations with other countries and the importance of exports for the development of our business. Also showing his opinion on how the signing of free trade agreements benefits international trade.

We leave you the opinion.

Cooperativa Extremeña de Ajos is a company that was founded in 2003. Tired of poorly selling their product, a group of farmers realized the necesity to concentrate supply and volume. We are a garlic production cooperative, located in Aceuchal (Badajoz).

Today we export to about 10 countries, the main ones being Brazil, the US and Canada. We handle an export figure around 45% although it must be said that it is a growing figure. This entails an average workforce of about 60 people dedicated to the foreign market.

• Our sector does not really benefit from tariff cuts, since our biggest competitor is China, reaching a figure of around 85/90% market share, where labor is much cheaper than in Spain. We are fighting so that those countries where China is taxed with a tariff, will really comply.
• Mercosur's trade agreement with Europe, for our sector, has two readings: those countries where today we are charged a tax, by eliminating it, we will be stronger commercially speaking and our market presence will grow. But do not forget that this agreement will open the European market to Argentine producers, which is another of our great competitors and would be free of licenses.