Nine importers from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Germany visit Castilla-La Mancha to discover the excellence of Manchego cheese and strengthen international trade links.
The Trade Mission for Cheese Importers, organized by Chinexita for the Official Chamber of Commerce of Albacete in collaboration with the Institute for Foreign Promotion of Castilla-La Mancha (IPEX), has concluded with outstanding success and highly positive feedback from both the participating companies and the international importers who visited the province this past week.
From 28 September to 3 October, nine importers from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Germany took part in an extensive programme designed to promote Manchego cheese and enhance its international positioning as one of the most recognized agri-food products of Castilla-La Mancha — currently exported to more than 90 countries.
During the mission, the visiting importers experienced first-hand the production process, quality standards, and distribution systems of Manchego cheese, visiting the facilities of eight renowned local producers: Pago de la Jaraba, Quesera Manchega Don Eusebio, Dehesa de Los Llanos, Aroma Oro, Quesos Vega Sotuelamos, Spanish Cheese, Finca La Cuadra, and Quesos Robledal.
Official reception and business showroom.
The Trade Mission began with an official reception and professional showroom held at the Gran Hotel de Albacete, where participating cheesemakers showcased their products and engaged in B2B meetings with the visiting importers.
The event was attended by the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Albacete, Mr Juan Martínez Moraga, the Director of IPEX, Ms Paloma Sánchez, and the President of the Manchego Cheese Designation of Origin (DOP), Mr Antonio Martínez Blasco.
Mr Martínez highlighted that “tradition plays a key role in this sector, but so does innovation, as our cheesemakers now compete globally and represent a benchmark of quality and excellence”.
Ms Sánchez emphasized the commitment of IPEX to promoting the quality and agri-food potential of Castilla-La Mancha, encouraging companies “to continue advancing in international markets, particularly in Asia.”
Mr Martínez Blasco noted that “Castilla-La Mancha is Spain’s leading cheese-producing region, and the Asian market represents a strategic priority for the growth of the Manchego cheese industry.”
These visits allowed potential international customers to learn about the combination of craftsmanship and R&D&I that characterizes the Albacete cheese sector, as well as to establish direct commercial contacts with the producing companies.
Technical visits to cheesemaking facilities.
Following the opening event, importers visited several towns across the province to learn about the work of local producers. On the final day, they toured Quesos Vega Sotuelamos (Chinchilla de Montearagón), Spanish Cheese (Albacete), Finca La Cuadra (La Herrera), and Quesos Robledal (Robledo), where they observed the production processes, quality assurance systems, and technological innovation that define the sector.
These visits offered international buyers a unique opportunity to discover how craftsmanship and R&D+i combine in Albacete’s cheesemaking industry, while facilitating direct commercial connections with local companies.
Strengthening international promotion and new opportunities.
The main objective of this Trade Mission, coordinated by Chinexita, was to open new markets, strengthen commercial relationships, and reinforce the global reputation of Manchego cheese as a symbol of quality and excellence.
Importers from key Asian markets such as China, Vietnam, and the Philippines showed strong interest in adding Manchego cheese to their portfolios of premium and gourmet products.
Through this initiative, Castilla-La Mancha reaffirms its international vision and its commitment to a sector that perfectly blends tradition, innovation, and quality, while Chinexita continues to build trade bridges between Spain and Asia, promoting the global growth of the region’s agri-food industry.
