The “Aves de España” certificate reaches supermarkets for the first time, marking the dawn of a new era for Spanish poultry meat
Avícola Hidalgo, Nutrave, Redondo and Grupo Vall Companys are the first certified integrators whose products are already displaying the seal on retail shelves. The scheme requires external audits covering traceability, animal welfare, sustainability and food safety across the entire chain, from hatchery to distribution.
9 October 2024 | NeXusAvicultura
The Aves de España certification, driven by Avianza (Spanish Interprofessional Association for Poultry Meat), has just made the definitive leap from paper to retail shelf. The Ahorramas supermarket chain has become the first retail chain to stock poultry products labelled with this quality seal — a milestone that transforms a sector-wide initiative launched in October 2023 into a tangible reality for consumers.
The integrators whose products are already displaying the mark on retail shelves are Avícola Hidalgo, Nutrave, Redondo and Grupo Vall Companys (through its subsidiaries Pondex and Avigal), the four first companies to complete the audit process. According to Avianza, other domestic producers are currently undergoing the certification process and will be joining shortly, as will new supermarket chains.
“This is the starting pistol for an initiative that further strengthens the Spanish poultry sector, certifies the quality of our products and, above all, demonstrates the unity of a sector committed to differentiation.” — Jordi Montfort, Secretary General of Avianza
A certificate built on four pillars
Aves de España was launched in October 2023 with a clear mission: to provide poultry meat produced in Spain (chicken, turkey and quail) with its own guarantee seal that would underpin the values of the entire production chain. The certification is structured around four pillars: animal welfare, food safety, traceability and sustainability.
The pilot project was launched with PADESA and Vall Companys, and the interprofessional body initially estimated that more than twenty companies would join over the course of the first year. Reality has confirmed those expectations: further operators who are already processing their applications will shortly join the four initial certified companies.
What the certification requires of an integrator
To obtain the Aves de España licence, an integrator must comply with the requirements set out in the brand’s Technical Regulations, which cover the entire production chain. The process is not limited to a voluntary declaration: it requires an external audit carried out by an independent control body, which verifies compliance with every technical aspect across the different operational stages.
Specifically, the certification can be applied to the following units within the chain: hatcheries, broiler production farms, dealer or commercial operator holdings, slaughter establishments, cutting plants, processing plants and poultry meat product manufacturing facilities. The birds must have been hatched, reared and slaughtered in Spain.
Operators may opt for two modalities: individual certification, in which 100% of the holdings are audited, or group (multi-site) certification, available to operators with more than two production units managed under the same livestock management system. In both cases, the certificate has an annual validity and must be renewed.
Among the specific requirements, the certification demands recognised food safety certifications (IFS, BRC, Global GAP or HACCP, among others), compliance with ISO quality standards, and adherence to Avianza Animal Welfare Spain (AAWS), a sector-specific B+ Animal Welfare Commitment mark whose requirements exceed current legislation throughout the entire production chain.
“This launch is a priority for Avianza and the sector, because we are confident that the Aves de España certificate will give consumers greater trust in the transparency of quality processes, will enhance the sector’s prestige and will promote local consumption over imported products.” — Josep Solé, President of Avianza
Direct consumer information via QR code
Each certified pack features the Aves de España logo alongside a QR code that directs consumers to the campaign website (avesdeespana.es), where they can check the food safety, quality and animal welfare certifications of the product they are purchasing. In Ahorramas supermarkets, the seal is present both in the fresh poultry counter area and in the chilled food aisles.
A benchmark sector in figures
Avianza brings together more than 65 member companies representing over 90% of Spanish poultry activity, with more than 5,000 farms and production centres, 281 cutting and processing plants, and more than 40,000 direct jobs. In 2023, Spain produced more than 1.6 million tonnes of poultry meat, a 2.5% increase on the previous year, consolidating its position as Europe’s second largest producer, behind only Poland.
It remains to be seen how quickly new integrators will come on board and, above all, whether the major retail chains beyond Ahorramas will decide to give the seal shelf space in their stores.
For further information:
-. Website and news on Avianza’s activities.
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