The Barcelona Chamber of Commerce has warned this Monday that a significant portion of the water infrastructure investments planned in response to the drought episode that affected Catalonia between 2021 and 2024 are delayed or, in some cases, stalled, including the Tordera and Foix desalination plants. Likewise, the business organization has warned that European regulations require administrations to invest more in water purification and regeneration, which may necessitate future increases in investments in this area.

Three of the major European economies –France, Italy, and the United Kingdom– are the three new headaches in European debt markets. The three countries are in the investors' crosshairs due to the high cost their governments pay to issue public debt, even though on paper and historically they are three states with solid economies.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) calls on governments to implement "temporary" policies to protect their economies from the energy shock caused by the war in Iran, with special emphasis on protecting the most "vulnerable" segments of the population, according to the April report of Fiscal Monitor, which the economic body publishes semi-annually. In the study, the IMF warns that some countries —such as many members of the European Union, China, or the United States, among others— have limited room to maneuver to carry out public policies to support the economy due to the high levels of public debt they have accumulated in recent years and low growth levels.

The rise in fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East sent the cost of living soaring in Catalonia and Spain in March, the first month with the war's effects, according to consumer price index (CPI, the indicator that measures the cost of living for families) data published this Tuesday by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

The cost of producing food is expected to rise in the coming months due to the war in the Middle East. The reason is the dependence of world agriculture on fertilizers, some of the main producers of which are the Persian Gulf countries. The export of these chemical products has been as affected as oil by the conflict, which has led to price increases that will likely be passed on to the final price of food.

The international congress of seafood companies and products, Seafood Global, will open a new edition on April 21 with similar prospects to last year's. The organizers of the meeting do not foresee that the war in the Middle East will affect attendance at the meeting and estimate that the event will have an impact on the city's economy of around 161 million euros.

The General Council of Economists, the body that groups the colleges of economists of the State, proposes that the Spanish government adjust its income tax bracket (IRPF) to the salary increases of recent years. According to the entity's calculations, a Catalan worker with a gross annual salary of 25,000 euros would save about 252 euros annually, while for higher salaries, such as 400,000 euros, the savings would exceed 2,100 euros annually.

The Generalitat has published the 2027 labor calendar, marked by Christmas and May 1st falling on a Saturday, as the Catalan executive reported this Wednesday in a statement. In total there will be 12 holidays in addition to Sundays.

The State closed 2025 with the lowest public deficit since the outbreak of the financial crisis of 2008, thanks to a new historic record in tax collection, as reported this Tuesday by the Ministry of Finance.

A few months ago, the global financial sector began to show signs of concern, especially in the United States, due to the collapse of First Brands, Tricolor Holdings, and the credit fraud cases of regional banks Zions Bancorporation and Western Alliance. Credit panic began to set in in the markets, also on the Old Continent, with stock market declines contagious from Wall Street. Just a few days ago, the bankruptcy of the British mortgage broker MFS (Markets Financial Solutions) also splashed several lending entities, including Barclays and Banco Santander, with a millionaire credit exposure.

The war in Iran and the resulting energy price increase have impacted inflation in Spain. Thus, the cost of living for families this March has become notably more expensive compared to February, as a result of the rise in prices of fuels and electricity.

The Alimentaria and Hostelco joint congress, dedicated to the agri-food industry, hospitality, and catering, opened its doors this Monday at the Fira de Barcelona, ​​on the very day that Brussels announced the provisional entry into force of the free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, a treaty that could change the food sector in the years to come. The congress, which takes place every two years, expects around 110,000 attendees, according to organizers last week. It would surpass both the Mobile World Congress and Integrated Systems Europe in visitors. (ISE), currently the two trade fairs with the highest visitor numbers held in Barcelona. However, unlike these two congresses, where the majority of attendees come from abroad, Alimentaria has a majority of visitors (approximately three out of four) from within Spain.

On October 6, 1973, thousands of Israeli soldiers were forced to eat. That day, the country was celebrating Yom Kippur, one of Judaism's holiest holidays, characterized by fasting and prayer, when it was attacked militarily by Egypt and Syria. Many members of the army had to postpone their celebrations. This war, which lasted about three weeks, was another episode in the Arab-Israeli conflict. But at the same time, it marked a turning point for the global economy, as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC, comprised mainly of Arab states) implemented a crude oil embargo on Western countries (the United States and some allies, primarily European), which caused prices to skyrocket and triggered the first of the oil crises of the 1970s and early 1980s.

The Catalan economy ended 2025 with annual growth of 2.7%, one-tenth of a percentage point lower than the Spanish average, according to data published this Friday by Idescat, the Catalan government's statistical agency. Economic growth, clearly higher than the European average for another year, was driven primarily by business investment and household spending.

The Alimentaria and Hostelco trade fair for the agri-food, restaurant, and hospitality industries will increase the number of exhibitors this year compared to the last edition and expects to reach 110,000 visitors, organizers announced on Thursday. With this figure, the event would surpass the total number of visitors to the Mobile World Congress (MWC) and ISE, the two most attended events held this year at Fira de Barcelona. The congress, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, will be held next week at the Gran Via venue of Fira de Barcelona, ​​in Hospitalet de Llobregat. In total, it will occupy seven pavilions with an area of ​​100,000 square meters. Organizers have highlighted the international nature of the event. "It will be by far the most international Alimentaria in history," declared Antoni Llorens, president of the trade fair, at the press conference presenting the congress this Thursday. "A congress comes of age when an international visitor comes to visit an international exhibitor, because borders are transcended," added Pere Taberner, president of Hostelco. In total, some 3,300 companies will participate in the 2026 edition, 1,200 of which are from abroad. Thus, the number of exhibitors from outside Spain represents a 30 percent increase compared to the previous edition, although the increase in exhibition space occupied by international companies will be 40 percent.

Cava sales declined last year for the second consecutive year, according to a report released Wednesday by the Cava Designation of Origin Regulatory Board. The total number of bottles sold fell by 12.88% year-on-year to 190 million. Revenue reached €2.048 billion, 10% less than in 2014. This drop is attributed to the drought, according to Javier Pagés, president of the Cava DO. "The decline is not due to a lack of demand, but rather a lack of product," he stated. This decrease stems primarily from exports, which fell by 18.68%. In the Spanish market, the reduction was much more moderate, at 2.48% in volume. It should be noted that of the 190 million bottles sold, 60% of the Cava was destined for export. The first market was Belgium, the second the United States, and the third the United Kingdom. Of all the cava sold in Spain, 33.7% was in Catalonia. Germany, traditionally the first or second largest market, fell to fifth place.

For several years now, Liquats Vegetals has been the face of the rise of plant-based milks in the Catalan agri-food industry. Founded in 1991 and located in the heart of Montseny, the company has been the leader in the production of oat, soy, and rice beverages in the Spanish market for almost four years, thanks in large part to its own brand, Yosoy. The company was founded by engineer Josep Maria Erra with the aim of "providing real nutrition," explains his daughter and current CEO, Laura Erra. The founder had worked in the dairy sector and decided to start a business to make plant-based milk, a segment of the beverage market that was still in its infancy in Spain 35 years ago. Furthermore, the goal was to produce products with as few additives and added sugars as possible: "With a logical work philosophy about how we should eat and nourish ourselves," says the group's director.

The cost of living for Catalan families rose slightly in February, despite remaining within the limits set by the European Central Bank (ECB). Last month was the last before the outbreak of the war in Iran, which is expected to have an upward impact on prices due to the resulting increase in the cost of oil and natural gas. Specifically, prices in Catalonia rose by 0.5% compared to January, a figure that stands out in contrast to the previous month, when the cost of living decreased compared to December. However, compared to a year ago, the growth was 2%, the same annual rate as in January, according to data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI, the indicator that measures the evolution of prices of consumer goods and services) published this Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Across Spain, the INE has confirmed the data that I had already shared two weeks agoThus, in Spain, prices rose on average in February by 2.3% compared to the same month last year and by 0.4% compared to January. The rise in inflation is mainly due to the increase in fuel costs, which is expected to be even more pronounced in the coming months, with a monthly increase of 1.7%. Tourism and hospitality also became more expensive in February, with an average increase of 1.2%.

Chinese fashion giant Shein will open offices in Barcelona, ​​where it will house its marketing team for the Spanish market, despite the investigations opened by the European Commission against the company and the growing tariff pressure. The presence in the Catalan capital represents "a strategic step" for the multinational of fast fashion, according to the director of branding Shein's Borde Hiransomboon, this Thursday at the presentation of the delegation.

A good harvest after three years of drought and an expansion in the number of wineries boosted Corpinnat's sales in 2025. The collective brand of sparkling wines from the Penedès region grew by 27%. compared to the previous year...to €34.13 million.