Galicia industrial sector faces geopolitical sales drops and labor shortages

The industrial landscape in Galicia is experiencing significant shifts. Oviganic Ibérica, a dairy company based in Monforte de Lemos and owned by the Chinese corporation Yeeper Dairy, reported a nearly 30% drop in sales. The company attributed this decline and a 52.22% decrease in operating results to “eventualidades en geopolítica internacional” (international geopolitical contingencies). Despite the drop in turnover from 48 million to 33.8 million euros, the group's assets rose to 41.6 million euros.

Simultaneously, the Ferrolterra region is facing a severe shortage of skilled labor due to a surge in industrial demand. The Centro Integrado de Formación Profesional (CIFP) Ferrolterra reports a 15% to 20% increase in applications for industrial specialties. This demand is driven by the upcoming SAIC automotive factory, Navantia’s F-110 frigate program, and offshore wind energy projects. Enrique Pazo, director of CIFP, warned that there are not enough young people in the region to meet the simultaneous needs of these major industrial developments.