An unwavering commitment to the territory

La Seu d'UrgellMany companies have incorporated a social and environmental purpose into their economic objectives, but some have had this vision embedded in their DNA since their inception. This is the case of Cadí, a century-old cooperative in the Pyrenees. "The project began in 1915. We produce cheeses and butter from the fresh milk we collect daily from our members, the dairy farming families of the Alt Urgell and Cerdanya regions. The milk from this area provides us with two of our most emblematic products: Cadí butter and Cadí Protected Designation of Origin butter," says Anna Puigcercós, CEO of Cadí. Agricultural and livestock traditions are the foundation of a project deeply rooted in the region. "The cooperative's purpose has always been to maintain and develop the Alt Urgell and Cerdanya regions so that the primary and secondary sectors can earn a decent living by producing and marketing high-quality dairy products with that local value," explains Puigcercós. The Cadí Group had a turnover of 165 million euros in 2024 and employs 231 people. "We must take care of the primary sector so that it can continue to provide us with quality agri-food products. There is a collective responsibility involved. We must be aware of the importance of consuming local products. Our consumption patterns also determine the kind of society and world we want to build. There is an individual responsibility when we decide what type of product we consume. Ultimately, it's not everyone's responsibility," he explains.

When Josep Zulueta appeared in the area in 1915, some articles that appeared in The Vanguard They were already using the expression "forgotten regions." "In those years, there were practically no roads here. With the arrival of phylloxera, the wealth of the territory disappeared because all the vineyards were destroyed. Zulueta convinced a group of farmers to transform the economic model of these regions. They started by bringing cows from Switzerland, and from there they began to develop their methods, to hone their craft."

Currently, the cooperative is made up of 63 farming families who contribute 170,000 liters of milk daily. "They are the ones who provide us with fresh milk. We have five collection lines in the area, and we get up very early every day to go and collect it," he explains. Their objectives haven't changed much over the years. "We strive to make a positive impact with our business model, both economically, environmentally, and socially. From an environmental perspective, it's clear that our dairy farmers not only provide us with milk but also tend to the landscape. This is invaluable, as they are essential in preserving our natural environment. From a social perspective, our connection to the region is fostered through sports that are popular in our area, such as canoeing, cross-country skiing, mountain running, and especially basketball."

Cadí's connection to basketball has a 36-year tradition. "We started in 1989 supporting Sedis Baloncesto, and since 2001, without interruption, we have supported the women's team that competes in the top division. Our commitment to women's sports allows a local team to participate in the top national competition and, at the same time, helps us raise our profile. We also value the values that basketball conveys, such as effort and teamwork. Without team cohesion, it's difficult to achieve certain goals," he says.

Energy group

Furthermore, Cadí has a stake in the energy group Peusa, which generates, distributes, and sells 100% renewable energy. "Peusa provides us with knowledge of the electricity market, as we are major consumers of this energy company. We have held a stake in its capital for years," acknowledges Puigcercós.