The future of last-mile food logistics takes centre stage at the Logista Parcel meetings in Córdoba

Logista Parcel held the first edition of its Logista Parcel Meetings, an initiative designed as a platform for dialogue and knowledge-sharing around the key challenges facing the logistics industry. This inaugural event, held at the Mezquita Center Hotel in Córdoba and focused on the food sector, brought together professionals from more than 20 invited companies and featured presentations from five organisations. Topics covered included consumer trends, supply chain management, cold-chain technology and international expansion.

Under the title “Present and Future of the Food Supply Chain”, the event highlighted the need to strengthen collaboration among the various stakeholders in the value chain, incorporate technological solutions to improve operational efficiency, and adapt business models to evolving market demands.

During the opening session, Juan Carlos Sánchez, National Sales Director at Logista Parcel, emphasised the importance of creating spaces for dialogue among professionals facing common challenges from different perspectives. Coordination between manufacturers, distributors and logistics operators is becoming increasingly important to ensure product quality, improve planning and meet the requirements of different distribution channels.

Sánchez, highlighted the last mile as a critical element in preserving product conditions and ensuring safe and reliable deliveries. In the food sector, these challenges are particularly significant due to the need to maintain the cold chain, ensure shipment traceability and adapt operations to the specific requirements of each product and channel, from specialist retail and the horeca sector to end distributors.

«The last mile in food logistics must respond to the specific needs of each product, maintain the required temperature conditions, and provide traceability and reliability throughout the entire process. Achieving this requires a specialised capillary network, technology and operational expertise capable of meeting these demands, such as those offered by Logista Parcel», said Sánchez.

Anticipating Consumer Needs

Rosa Muñoz, brand and trends consultant at OHAYŌ and Director of the Otō Trends Observatory, discussed the evolution of consumer habits and their impact on the agri-food industry. Early identification of emerging preferences enables companies to anticipate changes in demand, review their value propositions and develop products and experiences more closely aligned with consumer expectations.

For his part, Ángel Rubio, Supply Chain Coordinator at COVAP, provided insights from an industry where planning, process coordination and responsiveness are essential to maintaining operational continuity. Key supply chain challenges include access to reliable information, anticipating potential disruptions and optimising resources to improve service levels in an increasingly demanding environment.

Rubio also stressed the vital role of people in the development of the agri-food sector and the importance of recognising the work of livestock farmers at a time when traditional professional profiles are gradually disappearing. Generational renewal and the training of new professionals are essential to ensuring the continuity of agricultural activity.

From Industrial Refrigeration to Smart Cooling

Technological innovation and energy efficiency were the focus of the session dedicated to industrial refrigeration, featuring Manuel Fernández, Regional Sales Manager at Cofrico, and Juan da Torre, Head of Operational Strategy at Gradhoc.

Fernández highlighted the potential of very high-temperature heat pumps capable of exceeding 100°C as one of the technologies that could help decarbonise industrial processes. These solutions make it possible to capture waste heat and reuse it in processes requiring high temperatures, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Meanwhile, Juan da Torre presented Gradhoc’s cloud platform.

The conference concluded its programme of presentations with Abel Rodríguez, CEO of Brotherfood Quality, who shared his experience in supporting the international expansion of Spanish agri-food companies and positioning products such as Iberian meats, dairy products and olive oil in foreign markets.

The event also included representation from academia, with the attendance of Pilar Castro, Dean of Loyola University, and Santiago Cañizares Sevilla, Associate Professor in the Department of Business Organisation at the University of Córdoba.

A Forum for Sharing Experiences

The event concluded with a panel discussion and networking lunch, providing attendees with an opportunity to exchange experiences and build new professional relationships.

Through this initiative, Logista Parcel aims to establish a lasting platform for knowledge exchange among companies and professionals connected to the food supply chain, encouraging the sharing of experiences around the challenges that are transforming the sector.