We have a busy June ahead, packed with events. This week we're attending the 11th World Ham Congress , held in Segovia on June 8th, 9th, and 10th. Those who know us are also aware of Jamones Aljomar's cosmopolitan spirit and know that our dedication drives us to work tirelessly to reach the finest gourmet shops and delicatessens in major cities around the world. For over a decade, we've been traveling the globe promoting Iberian culture , and for the past five years, we've done so with the pleasure of the company of renowned chef Martín Berasategui, holder of 12 Michelin stars, as our brand ambassador, promoting the flavor of Iberian ham and incorporating it into international cuisine as a premium ingredient.
For these reasons, and because we already have a presence in more than 30 countries , we couldn't miss this event, whose objective is "to enhance the visibility of the sector within society, as well as that of the product it represents; to increase the prestige of ham and the importance of a sector with a global presence." The Deputy Director, José Luis Sánchez, and the Quality Director, Auxiliadora García, will be attending the meeting on behalf of Jamones Aljomar.
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The main theme of the 11th World Ham Congress is innovation as a global solution for the entire value chain of this product. To address this, the congress will include an in-depth analysis of ham production, research, and marketing; case studies of success stories and the best marketing and sales tools that help the sector improve its commercial effectiveness; and will also showcase the latest trends and developments in nutrition and gastronomy.
The program consists of different blocks that will provide information on pork as a raw material , the processing methods, the quality of the product, its sensory properties , food safety , nutrition , sustainability , consumption and the tools to promote it.
In its last edition, held in 2019, this international event attracted 400 delegates from 10 countries. This year, under the theme 'Ham reinvents itself in Segovia', a similar turnout is expected, given that it "has become the main meeting point for operators in this sector , taking place every two years and analyzing the main technological and market developments, so important in times of change like the present."
According to the organization, “it will feature congressmen from numerous important companies in the sector such as Mariano Pascual, Jamondul, Hermanos Escámez Sánchez, Jamones Aljomar, Jamones Granadul, Monte Nevado, Mataderos Industriales Soler, Covap, Grupo Vall Company, I+D Agroalimentaria, Cárnicos Brisa, Embutidos Caseros Collell, Hijos de José Martínez Somalo, Pernils, Cárnicas Siete Hermanos, Noel Alimentaria, Bell Alimentación, Campofrio, among others.”
There will be more than thirty speakers from across Spain and internationally, including top-level professionals and numerous institutional representatives, who will discuss and share their experiences in the sector. For example, participants include Cristina Óvilo, senior researcher at the Spanish National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA); Israel Muñoz, researcher at the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA); Josué Delgado, assistant professor at the University of Extremadura; and Estela García, senior client executive at Worldpanel by Kantar World.
This year, the congress has the collaboration of the National Association of Meat Industries of Spain (ANICE), the Business Federation of Meat and Meat Industries (FECIC) and the Serrano Ham Consortium, in addition to having Tierra de Sabor, the Interprofessional Association of Iberian Pork (ASICI), the Interprofessional Agri-food Association of White-Coat Pigs (Interporc) and Alimentos de España as Main Sponsors.
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International expansion of Aljomar Hams
We are certainly very interested in this congress, as Jamones Aljomar's internationalization strategy is a fundamental aspect of our work. Throughout 2021, Aljomar's successful international expansion has been marked by its increased penetration in the United States and Asia , with a corresponding increase in exports.
The development and growth of the Asian market has been observed for several years, and in 2021 this was particularly noticeable in China, where Iberian ham is increasingly appreciated. Furthermore, we continue to open new markets in the region and, for example, last year we consolidated our presence in Malaysia.
Currently, approximately 25% of Jamones Aljomar's sales are generated outside of Spain. Their Iberian pork products—hams, shoulders, sausages, and fresh meats—are in demand across four continents: Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa, reaching countries such as the United States, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Brazil, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. The Canadian, Panamanian, and Colombian markets are also part of Aljomar's most recent international expansion strategy.
