Prepared by a group of renowned economists, the Fènix Report is undoubtedly a relevant contribution to public discourse. Those who shape—and we shape—opinion in the media often attribute a large part of the problems we have as a society to something called the economic model, and not infrequently we write or say that a change, or changes, in this model is necessary. Well, the Fènix Report presents a sound, rigorous, and straightforward exploration and diagnosis of the economic model in force in Catalonia during the first quarter of the 21st century. From 2000 to 2025, Catalonia has only lost sheets (GDP points) with each wash, meaning: in comparisons with regions in Europe, or America, with which Catalonia traditionally used to compete or be reflected, and which allowed for complacent or triumphalist expressions of the type “Catalonia, the Bavaria of Southern Europe” or “Catalonia, the European Massachusetts”. This kind of effusion has long since gone out of style, and in its place a chorus of resentful and phantom voices is heard preaching nationalist retreats or, directly, hate speech directed very especially against immigration. Indeed, the migratory flows that have arrived in Catalonia have only grown during these twenty-five years, and have led to a profound demographic transformation, summarized in the transition from Catalonia of six million to that of eight million inhabitants (the Fènix Report incorporates the forecast of ten million by 2050). It is no coincidence that, from the year 2000 until now, Catalonia, and especially Barcelona, has made its economy increasingly dependent on mass tourism and real estate speculation, two phenomena closely linked, often in the form of cause and effect. In these aspects, it can be said that Catalonia —especially Barcelona— has become Balearized, given that the Balearic Islands are, unfortunately, a benchmark in this economic model focused on low-productivity activities, unskilled labor, and low wages, on which the Fènix focuses. And it is true, as its authors indicate, that workers with excessively low wages do not contribute enough to cover the services they will use throughout their lives, thus “contributing” to the deterioration of the economic fabric and the impoverishment of the country as a whole.

On bar terraces, glasses of Coca-Cola with ice and lemon. At local festivals, coolers full of bottles of this soft drink. In the stands of Camp Nou, on La Rambla, or in a small family-run mountain restaurant, the same scene repeats itself: an open bottle, escaping gas, and an everyday gesture that has been part of the Catalan social landscape for decades. But what would happen if, suddenly, Coca-Cola disappeared from Catalonia?

Currently, the leading Spanish company by market capitalization, far ahead of the second, is Inditex. Its largest shareholder, Amancio Ortega, is the richest person in Spain and consistently appears on lists of the world's wealthiest individuals. He is now the ninth richest person in the world and the second richest in Europe, although at times he has even been the world's richest. Fifty years ago, Inditex didn't exist, and Amancio Ortega had no fortune whatsoever. This is the most dramatic transformation in the Spanish business world. No other fortune even comes close. The second richest, ten times smaller, belongs to his daughter. Following her are Rafael del Pino (Ferrovial) and Juan Roig (Mercadona).

This year, Transgourmet Ibérica has completed the transformation process the company began in 2019 with the aim of modernizing and consolidating its food distribution business model, both in the hospitality sector and in franchised convenience supermarkets. This evolution of the sector has coincided with a historic milestone: the celebration of its centenary. Throughout the year, the company has combined significant strategic initiatives with a commemorative program, highlighting its century-long history. During this year, Transgourmet Ibérica has invested €85 million, including the acquisitions of Dispuig and Moyà Saus and the creation of Nuditrans in partnership with Nudisco. With these operations, the company has expanded its reach into three key regions: Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community.

The INE has published GDP data by autonomous community, which shows that Catalonia grew by 3.6% in 2024, a rate slightly higher than the Spanish average and much more pronounced than that of the eurozone. The size of the Catalan economy exceeded €300 billion, the second largest in the state, behind only the Community of Madrid. However, if we look at the GDP per capita data, which is €37,426, then Catalonia falls to fourth place, behind Madrid, the Basque Country, and Navarre.

On Sunday, June 15, Transgourmet Ibérica brought together more than 500 people at the iconic Tarraco Arena in Tarragona to commemorate its 100th anniversary. The event brought together representatives of institutions and business organizations, industry figures, clients, suppliers, and employees from the regions of Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre, southern Barcelona, ​​​​Lleida, and the Valencian Community to celebrate this historic milestone, highlighting the company's current leadership position in wholesale food distribution.

The Catalan and Madrid economies began the century with the same level of growth. But from 2001 to 2023, Madrid, in general terms, saw its gross domestic product (GDP, an indicator that measures the size of an economy) grow more than that of Catalonia. In fact, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the economy of the region presided over by Isabel Díaz Ayuso grew on average between 2001 and 2023 by 1.8%, while that of Catalonia grew by 1.1%.

The Spanish economy, and also the Catalan one – which grew more than average last year – continues to function. The Bank of Spain, which is usually conservative in its forecasts, has revised upwards the growth estimate for 2025, from 2.5% previously to 2.7%, after reaching 3.2% last year. All this in an environment of uncertainty in the international panorama. But last year, with a similar scenario, we already saw numerous upward revisions to growth.