• A new inward mission for the animal feed and nutrition sector has successfully come to an end.
• International buyers got to see Córdoba's production firsthand through business meetings and tours around industrial plants.
• The two-day second edition of Conecta Río Cuarto was organized by ProCórdoba Agency and the Río Cuarto Business, Commercial, Industrial, and Services Center (CeCIS), with the support of the local government and the region's productive sectors.

The purpose of the event was to connect Córdoba companies in the animal feed and nutrition sector with potential buyers from abroad. Conecta Río Cuarto offered talks, business rounds, business and institutional meetings, and visits to industrial plants.

Thirty-four participating local companies held over 110 business meetings with international operators from Uruguay, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, and traders with access to global markets.

In addition, the foreign entourage visited the industrial plants in the region: El Productor, Compañía de Alimentos y Cereales S.A., and Alimentos Santa Rosa.

The words of international visitors

Enzo Mannarini from the Paraguayan company Los Guapitos S.A. expressed, "There are some very interesting things that can be replicated at home. I am taking away ideas for forming strategic alliances with local companies, producers, and associations."

It should be noted that Mannarini, who is also a representative of the Paraguayan Association of Pig Producers, had an institutional meeting with Cappcor, the Córdoba Chamber of Swine Producers. "There may be some very interesting developments in terms of genetics of rustic animals adapted to the countryside, and it would be very interesting to see how they can be taken to Paraguay," he said.

For his part, Juan Alberto Casas from Peru, representative of Eurolatin Business Consulting Group, said, "We are taking valuable information about everything the local agribusiness cluster has to offer. We noticed that there is a lot of development and quality in Córdoba. We came looking for commodities and balanced pet feed, and we were able to establish contacts for both products."

Vanesa Durán, of Representaciones Durán, a company that distributes animal nutrition products throughout Peru, explained, "We came looking for premium food. We visited many plants where we saw very good production, with excellent quality processes."

On the other hand, Antonio Carlevaro, of Uruguay's firm Smart Commodities, referred to his satisfaction with the results, "We came looking for raw materials for animal nutrition and oils. We found several suppliers in Río Cuarto with whom we have the possibility of doing business. During our visit to the plants, we were met not only with hospitality but also very good quality."

Finally, Carlos Espíndola, of Paraguayan firm PROBAL S.A., shared, "The visit to the plants allowed us to greatly enrich our knowledge of manufacturing processes. We believe that in the future we can develop a strong commercial relationship with the companies in Río Cuarto. The local industry is growing rapidly, and the tours allowed us to learn about the potential of the Córdoba's firms."