Pistachio consumption in Spain has steadily gained ground in recent years, driven both by the diversification of its uses in the food industry and by growing consumer interest. In this expansion process, Sancorganic is positioning itself as one of the projects driving a deeper evolution of the sector, geared not only towards cultivation but also towards industrial development. Its approach responds to an increasingly evident need: to accompany production growth with structures capable of generating greater added value.

The increase in demand has been accompanied by a sharp rise in national production, which has gone from barely 8,000 tonnes in the 2018/2019 season to exceeding 42,000 tonnes in the current one. And the forecasts for the 2025-2026 season point to an increase of almost 74%, according to the advance of provisional data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. This spectacular growth in cultivation presents the sector with the key challenge of accompanying it with improvements in competitiveness and in the quality of the final product. Especially when new plantations are expected to continue coming into production in successive seasons. The official estimate is that by the year 2040, 245,000 cultivated hectares could be reached, which represents tripling the current number. In this context, projects like Sancorganic reflect a transition towards more complete models, capable of integrating agriculture and industry.

Sancorganic promotes an integrated agro-industrial model for pistachios

Since its beginnings, the company has been structured under a model that integrates the cultivation phase and processing at origin, from planting to the final preparation of the product. Sancorganic carries out its activity between Cebreros, in the province of Ávila, and Valdetorres de Jarama, in the Community of Madrid, where its main industrial infrastructure is located.

The start-up of the processing plant in Valdetorres de Jarama represents a significant step in its evolution. Tasks such as peeling, drying and packaging the pistachios are carried out at its facilities, activities that make it possible to control quality and optimise product management.

The processing of the first 4,000 kilograms of organic pistachios marks a milestone in the development of the project. This volume comes from the Cebreros plantation, where more than 6,000 trees have reached the productive phase. The combination of agricultural production and industrial capacity allows Sancorganic to move towards a more efficient model that is aligned with market needs.

From agricultural expansion to the industrialisation of the sector

The growth of pistachios in Spain has been largely linked to the increase in cultivated area. However, the development of the sector also requires an evolution in transformation capabilities. In this sense, Sancorganic has shown its willingness to put its capacities at the service of a broader ecosystem of producers, making it easier for the organic pistachio industry to grow and reach further.

For this reason, Sancorganic is committed to developing production and industrial infrastructure in parallel. With more than 100,000 trees planted – which will enter production in a short period of time – and a forecast of reaching 200,000 in the coming years, the company is building a productive base accompanied by its own processing capabilities. Sancorganic's objective is that, as its production increases, its industrial capacities will evolve in parallel, which will reinforce its position as an agro-industrial operator. This planning makes it possible to absorb future growth and guarantee efficient management of the volume produced.

The organic approach adds a differentiating element within the sector. Certified production requires rigorous control in all phases, from cultivation to the final product. Industrial integration makes it easier to maintain this traceability and ensure high quality standards, reinforcing its value proposition.

An agro-industrial model geared towards added value

The industrial processing of pistachios represents an opportunity to increase the value of the product and improve the competitiveness of the sector. Processes such as selection, drying or packaging allow the offer to be adapted to market demands and more specialised proposals to be developed.

In this sense, Sancorganic’s model is oriented towards the production of premium organic pistachios, supporting itself on a combination of scale, technology and long-term planning. The Valdetorres de Jarama processing plant is conceived as a central hub for product management, with the capacity to evolve and expand its functions as production grows.

This approach also incorporates sustainability criteria, both in agricultural management and in industrial operations. The efficient use of water, the implementation of ground cover crops or the optimisation of resources form part of a model that seeks to balance profitability and respect for the environment. All of this is certified by regulatory bodies both at the plantations and facilities in Madrid, and at the Cebreros plantation.

The evolution of the pistachio sector in Spain will depend, to a large extent, on its capacity to move towards more integrated models. Initiatives like Sancorganic's show a path where industry and production combine to generate greater added value and consolidate a competitive position in the long term.