Menopause is a stage in all women's lives, with over a billion expected to be postmenopausal next year, according to the American Menopause Society. With the end of menstruation, the ovaries stop producing essential hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, leading to physiological and hormonal changes that until a few years ago were associated with the onset of old age. Some of these symptoms, such as hot flashes, are widely known, but there are others that are not usually associated with menopause and that many women also experience. To enter this new stage in the best way and with good health, it is necessary to make lifestyle changes, such as incorporating physical exercise and following a good diet, and even consulting with experts about whether hormone replacement therapy is necessary.

The effects of the war in Iran continue to tighten the screws on the fruit and vegetable sector, which finds it increasingly difficult to contain the costs of fruit and vegetables. This Wednesday, companies in the sector - through a survey by the main association of manufacturers and distributors in the State (Aecoc) - have warned of the possibility of new price increases in the not-too-distant future if the conflict in the Middle East drags on.

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war in the Persian Gulf is causing an increase in fertilizer prices, thus putting the agri-food sector's value chain at risk and threatening to further elevate inflation. For this reason, Brussels presented a plan this Tuesday to alleviate the fertilizer supply crisis, although the main measures are limited to diverting existing European funds and advancing subsidies already allocated to member states through the common agricultural policy (CAP).

The Bon Preu Group culminates Esclat's return, the group's hypermarket chain, to the city of Barcelona. After a decade of absence in the Catalan capital, the brand owned by Joan Font has inaugurated this Tuesday a 2,100 square meter facility within the Culmia Themis Riera complex, on Riera Blanca street in the Sants district.

There was great expectation to know what the scientist Ana Gago-Martínez, professor at the University of Vigo, researcher in analytical and food chemistry, and director of the EU reference laboratory for marine biotoxins, would explain. This is because the increase in cases of ciguatera poisoning, which is contracted by ingesting certain fish, has required significant effort from administrations and the scientific community to manage a potential health problem that, until a few years ago, was not unique to us in Europe. In her presentation at the "Encuentro de los Mares" congress in Tenerife, Gago-Martínez asked for the public to be informed, but without causing alarm. We will try to summarize the key points of a potential risk, to comply with what the scientist requests.

The Romans said that the sea belonged to no one and that fish had no value, but this is not so. At least not in the world we have built. To see the oceanic dimensions of blue natural capital, let's take an X-ray based on figures provided by the scientific community at the Encuentro de los Mares conference held in Tenerife this week.

Carlos Duarte (Lisbon, 1960) is one of the most prestigious oceanographers in the world. He now resides in Mallorca, but has lived in Catalonia, Canada, Australia, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. His lectures always provide revealing data about the sea, some alarming. But he always tries to find an optimistic approach in turbulent times. Duarte, moreover, is the scientific advisor for the congress 'Encuentro de los Mares' (Meeting of the Seas), held in Tenerife, where the scientific community, fishermen, and chefs meet for four days to exchange knowledge.

Wholemeal and high-fiber biscuits. Also with chocolate or caramel touches. Some gluten-free, lactose-free, and salt-free. Round, square, or even dragon-shaped. In Catalonia, Gullón biscuits are a classic on supermarket shelves. Their green logo appears stamped on boxes of dozens of different formats, each aimed at a specific consumer. With over 130 years of history, it is a historic company in the Spanish biscuit sector, but also a European giant: in 2024 it had a turnover of 690 million euros, directly employs over 2,100 people, and is present in 125 countries.

Broccoli with potatoes and turkey in the casserole: stewed lentils and ham omelette; macaroni bolognese and nuggets of broccoli; chickpea soup and beef meatballs; and every Thursday, fresh fish from the market. These are some of the menus offered by the Sol Ixent school in Corbins (Segrià), for both its primary school pupils and those of the municipal nursery. All dishes are cooked on the centre's premises. Hot meals and, in many cases, locally sourced. And, since last September, it has also been an intergenerational meal.

Agricultural income –the value of production by farmers and ranchers– reached its highest point in 20 years in Catalonia in 2025, with 2,805.1 million euros, according to data published this Wednesday by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Generalitat. Thus, the Catalan primary sector leaves behind the hardest years of the drought, when production fell substantially: "This increase consolidates the recovery of the agricultural sector after very complex years," assured the Minister of Agriculture, Òscar Ordeig, at a press conference.

Nevin Cohen (Brooklyn, New York, 1962) is an expert in public food policies and director of the Urban Food Policy Institute – belonging to the City University of New York – and advocates for actions that can lead to more egalitarian, sustainable, and healthy food. He visits Barcelona to participate in the first international congress of the FARO observatory on the future of food, held at the University of Barcelona, where he is amazed by its historic building. “How beautiful it is to study here,” he says, taking a photo of the cloister.

A guy was handing out energy drinks at the entrance. If it weren't 9:30 in the morning, I'd definitely grab one, because at Alimentaria you know when you go in but not when you'll come out. The food fair's pavilions fill up quickly with people eager to discover this year's new products, which, I can tell you now, are all about protein. In fact, protein galore.

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.

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.

Frit Ravich, the Catalan family-owned company that produces potato chips, snacks The company has begun work to expand its factory in the municipality of Maçanet de la Selva, next to its existing plant. The location was chosen last year, and buildings adjacent to the headquarters were demolished. Recently, the detailed design phase was launched to define and plan the foundations of the new 38,000-square-meter complex. According to the company, the new facilities will guarantee the company's operational capacity until 2040. The company consolidated its growth and increased its investments last year by 14%, to 8 million euros. Part of this amount was allocated to the start of the expansion work. The bulk of the resources were used to increase production capacity, especially for potato chips and... snacksand to increase new technological solutions to improve the efficiency and management of production processes.

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.

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.

The Catalan Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food, Òscar Ordeig, called on Thursday for innovative policies in the agri-food sector, both public and private, to ensure that food production, which has sometimes "been subordinated to other paradigms," becomes Catalonia's flagship project in the coming years. "Environmental policies have been implemented without considering agri-food policies; urban planning policies have been implemented without considering food production policies; and health policies have been implemented without considering that we have a Mediterranean diet, a UNESCO World Heritage Site," Ordeig explained on Thursday at the Pim headquarters. In addition to this need for a forward-looking vision in the sector, Ordeig also stated that it is necessary to make decisions to move forward and find a balance between "not forging ahead without thinking, and thinking without forging ahead." "We have met many times with the sector to be clear about where we needed to go, but above all we have had to make decisions, manage, manage, and manage," explained the regional minister, who cited the recent health crises that have affected the agri-food sector in Catalonia as an example.

Barcelona Wine Week, the Spanish wine congress held annually in Barcelona, ​​will once again grow this year in terms of exhibitors, visitors, and square footage, organizers announced Wednesday. The sector is meeting at a time of challenges due to climate change, trade tensions between the European Union and the United States, and concerns about declining wine consumption worldwide. A total of 1,351 wineries from across Spain are registered, a 5% increase compared to last year. the 2025 edition and 880 international buyers, 14% more than the previous edition. The fair, which will be held next week from February 2nd to 4th, will occupy 10,900 square meters, 800 more than last year, at the Plaça d'Espanya venue of Fira de Barcelona. With 320 wineries present, Catalonia will be the autonomous community with the largest presence at the event, followed by Castile and León, La Rioja, and Castile-La Mancha.

The Catalan food and supermarket company Ametller Origen closed 2025 with a turnover of 800 million euros. 18% more than the previous year which represents a new all-time sales record, according to a press release. The company has not reported profits.