Andalucía Strengthens Its Status as Spain’s Leader in Social Economy Cooperatives
Andalucía leads Spain’s social economy with 25 top 100 cooperatives, driving over 80,000 jobs and €19 billion revenue, anchored by agro-food and strategic sectors like pharmaceutical distribution.
- • Andalucía has 25 cooperatives among Spain's top 100 social economy enterprises by revenue.
- • Around 5,100 cooperatives in Andalucía generate over 80,000 direct jobs and €19.3 billion in revenue.
- • Bidafarma is the highest-grossing Andalusian cooperative with over €2.9 billion in revenue, ranking fourth nationally.
- • The agro-food sector remains central, with Dcoop and Covap among top performers, while cooperatives sustain rural employment and agricultural production.
- • Globalcaja, another cooperative, received the Sello de Economía Social for its community-focused banking and reinvestment of profits.
Key details
Andalucía has solidified its position as a powerhouse in Spain's social economy, with 25 of its cooperatives ranking among the top 100 nationwide by revenue. According to the 2024-2025 report "Empresas más relevantes de la Economía Social," Andalucían cooperatives collectively represent over 19.3 billion euros in revenue and provide more than 80,000 direct jobs through approximately 5,100 registered entities.
The agro-food sector remains the backbone of this cooperative ecosystem, with notable players such as Dcoop and Covap contributing over 3 billion euros in revenue combined. Dcoop alone surpasses 2 billion euros. Bidafarma, a pharmaceutical distribution cooperative, leads Andalucía's social economy enterprises with revenues exceeding 2.9 billion euros, earning a national fourth place ranking. This highlights the region's robust cooperative presence not only in traditional sectors but also in more regulated industries.
Cooperatives in Andalucía play a vital territorial and social role, accounting for around 70% of Spain's final agricultural production value and about 30% of net food industry sales. Their participatory business models foster strong rural ties, helping retain population and stabilize employment in less urbanized areas.
Pedro Palacios, General Director of Globalcaja, a credit cooperative recently awarded the prestigious Sello de Economía Social by the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy, emphasized the importance of cooperative and people-oriented banking. Globalcaja dedicates 17.5% of its profits to social initiatives and serves over 300 branches, many in underserved municipalities, promoting financial inclusion and community development.
Together, these achievements underscore Andalucía's leadership and its critical contribution to a sustainable, democratic social economy that integrates economic success with social and territorial cohesion.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
