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FEADER grants for agri-food industries: an opportunity to invest in machinery, industrial refrigeration and energy efficiency
- 15/06/2026
- Aids
Modernising an agri-food industry requires investment, planning and a sound technical strategy. FEADER grants allow SMEs and micro-enterprises to access subsidies for machinery, industrial refrigeration, energy efficiency, packaging, automation and the improvement of production processes. At AGB Ingeniers, we support companies in the preparation, processing and follow-up of their applications so they can take advantage of this opportunity with greater confidence.
By Ana González, CEO and Agricultural Engineer – Industrial consultant in energy efficiency and grant management at AGB Ingeniers
FEADER grants for agri-food industries are now active and represent an opportunity for SMEs and micro-enterprises in the sector to invest in machinery, refrigeration installations, energy efficiency, transformation, packaging and the improvement of production processes. At AGB Ingeniers, we help companies identify eligible investments, prepare the documentation and manage the application with a technical and strategic approach.
The experience of AGB Ingeniers in managing FEADER grants for the agri-food industry provides an added guarantee for companies that want to submit their application with confidence. Our track record of approved applications in previous calls demonstrates the importance of working on each project with technical rigour, documentary planning and real knowledge of the criteria assessed by the Administration.
Applying for a FEADER subsidy is not simply a matter of submitting an application: it involves correctly identifying the investments, justifying their need, preparing comparable quotations, organising the administrative documentation and defending the project from a technical perspective. That is why working with a specialised engineering firm such as AGB Ingeniers can make the difference between an improvised application and a solid, coherent file prepared to move forward with greater guarantees.
FEADER grants are now active: it is time to prepare the investment
Agri-food companies in the Valencian Community once again have an important opportunity to modernise their facilities, improve their production capacity and make progress in energy efficiency thanks to the FEADER grants aimed at investments in the transformation, marketing and development of agri-food products.
This line of grants is designed to support companies that need to invest in machinery, production lines, cold storage chambers, industrial refrigeration installations, packaging systems, solar panels, automation, auxiliary equipment or solutions that improve the competitiveness of the food industry.
For many companies, these grants can make the difference between postponing an investment or carrying it out with greater security. The key is knowing which investments may be eligible, what documentation must be prepared and how to submit a solid application from the outset.
At AGB Ingeniers, we support agri-food industries throughout the entire process: from the initial feasibility analysis to technical preparation, document collection, submission of the application and follow-up of the file.
Who can apply for FEADER grants for the agri-food industry?
These grants are mainly aimed at SMEs and micro-enterprises in the agri-food sector that carry out their activity in the Valencian Community and plan to make investments linked to the transformation, marketing or development of agri-food products.
This includes fruit and vegetable companies, packing centres, meat industries, dairy industries, bakeries and workshops, prepared food companies, food warehouses, packaging industries, food distribution companies and other businesses linked to the agri-food chain.
The aim is to help these companies improve their facilities, incorporate new equipment, optimise processes, reduce consumption, increase production capacity or adapt their industries to new market needs.
In practice, any agri-food company planning to invest during this period should review as soon as possible whether its project can benefit from these grants.
What percentage of subsidy can a company receive?
The grants can cover a significant part of the eligible investment. In general terms, the subsidy may range between 30% and 35% of the investment, depending on the applicable line and the characteristics of the project.
In addition, in certain cases, additional increases may be applied depending on the type of company, its location, the size of the project or specific conditions.
That is why it is important not to analyse the grant superficially. Two companies with similar investments may obtain different results if one of them prepares the documentation better, correctly accredits its conditions and properly sets out the technical justification of the project.
In this type of call, investing is not the only important factor. How the investment is presented is also important.
Which investments may be eligible for the grants?
FEADER grants allow a wide variety of investments related to the modernisation of the agri-food industry to be included.
Investments that may be eligible include fruit and citrus treatment, packing and grading lines, packaging machinery, weighing machines, filling machines, palletisers, labelling machines, wrapping machines, strapping machines, conveyors, transfer systems, drying tunnels, Flow Pack lines and other equipment linked to the production process.
Industrial refrigeration installations may also be included, such as cold storage chambers, chamber structures, compressors, condensers, evaporators, temperature control systems, high-speed doors, air curtains, shelving for chambers, fans, air heaters or installations linked to ammonia, CO₂, glycol or refrigerant replacement.
Another important area is energy efficiency. This may include investments such as solar panels, LED lighting, aerothermal systems, transformer stations, electrical installations, automation, electrical cabinets, wastewater treatment equipment, ozone systems or zero-discharge systems.
In addition, internal transport equipment, forklifts, electric conveyors, batteries, chargers, maintenance lifting platforms, management software, grading machine software, barcode readers, scanner guns, monitors, UPS systems and specific flooring treatments for food facilities may also be considered.
Grants for machinery, industrial refrigeration and energy efficiency
One of the most interesting aspects of this call is that it makes it possible to address very common investments in today’s food industry.
Many companies need to renew machinery, expand cold storage chambers, improve their energy system, automate processes, incorporate new packaging lines or prepare their facilities to work more efficiently.
These investments do not only improve production capacity. They can also reduce costs, improve safety, increase product quality, facilitate traceability, optimise internal logistics and strengthen the company’s competitiveness.
That is why FEADER grants should not be understood merely as a one-off subsidy. They are an opportunity to better plan the industrial growth of the company.
What documentation must be prepared?
One of the most important aspects of these grants is document preparation.
To submit an application with guarantees, the company must gather technical, administrative, accounting and supporting information. The usual documentation includes three comparable quotations for each investment, the activity licence or corresponding application, the REA number where applicable, registered annual accounts, certificates, workforce reports, bank documentation, quality certificates where available and other information linked to the business activity.
It may also be necessary to justify raw material purchases, provide updated corporate documentation, accredit the company size, prepare specific certificates or check whether the company meets certain criteria that may improve its score.
Documentation should not be left until the last minute. In calls of this type, an incomplete or poorly prepared application may lead to corrections, delays or missed opportunities.
Why is it important to start as soon as possible?
Although the submission period is active, preparing a FEADER grant application takes time.
The investment must be analysed, its fit with the call must be reviewed, comparable quotations must be requested, corporate documentation must be checked, the technical report must be prepared, scoring criteria must be calculated, certificates must be reviewed and all information must be organised before submission.
The sooner the process begins, the more room the company has to correct errors, improve the application and submit a stronger file.
In addition, many investments require coordination between suppliers, engineering firms, installers, the Administration and the company. If everything is left until the end, pressure increases and the ability to prepare the file properly decreases.
Which companies can benefit from FEADER grants for the agri-food industry?
SMEs and micro-enterprises in the agri-food sector that make investments in the transformation, marketing or development of agri-food products in the Valencian Community may benefit from FEADER grants. These grants may apply to machinery, industrial refrigeration installations, energy efficiency, packaging, automation, internal transport, software and other improvements linked to the production process.
Scoring also matters
These grants are awarded under a competitive selection system. This means that applications are assessed according to a series of criteria and that the score obtained can influence the company’s position within the process.
Certain aspects can help improve the assessment: micro-enterprise status, location in specific rural areas, not having received grants in previous calls, working with local raw materials, holding quality certifications, having sustainability systems, being linked to differentiated quality schemes or making investments especially aligned with the objectives of the call.
That is why, at AGB Ingeniers, we do not limit ourselves to processing documentation. We analyse each company’s situation to identify which aspects can strengthen its application and how to present the project in the most favourable way possible.
At AGB Ingeniers, we offer a comprehensive service for agri-food companies that want to apply for FEADER grants.
Our work begins with the analysis of the eligibility and feasibility of the application. We review the investments the company plans to make, which items may be eligible for subsidy and what documentation needs to be prepared.
From there, we help optimise eligible investments, coordinate the three comparable quotations per item, prepare the technical report, organise the administrative documentation, carry out the self-assessment and submit the application electronically.
We also manage possible communications with the Administration, follow up the file until the resolution and support the company during the justification and payment request phase.
The aim is for the company to be able to focus on its activity while relying on a specialised technical team to organise, prepare and properly defend its project.
An opportunity to modernise the food industry
FEADER grants are an opportunity for agri-food companies to move forward with investments they often already had planned: new production lines, expansions, cold storage chambers, solar panels, energy improvements, packaging machinery, automation or the modernisation of facilities.
But to take advantage of this opportunity, it is essential to act with foresight.
A good application begins before filling in a form. It starts with a technical review of the project, a suitable selection of investments, complete documentation and a clear strategy to improve the score of the file.
At AGB Ingeniers, we help agri-food companies transform their investments into well-planned, well-documented projects prepared to access the available grants.
Frequently asked questions about FEADER grants for agri-food industries
Are FEADER grants for agri-food industries active?
Yes. FEADER grants for investments in agri-food industries are now active and interested companies should start preparing their application, documentation and quotations as soon as possible.
What type of companies can apply for these grants?
SMEs and micro-enterprises in the agri-food sector that carry out investments linked to the transformation, marketing or development of agri-food products may apply.
Which investments can be included in FEADER grants?
Investments in production machinery, packaging lines, cold storage chambers, industrial refrigeration, energy efficiency, solar panels, automation, internal transport, software, auxiliary installations and other improvements linked to agri-food activity may be included.
What percentage of aid can a company receive?
In general terms, the aid may range between 30% and 35% of the eligible investment, with possible additional increases depending on the characteristics of the company and the project.
Is it mandatory to submit three quotations?
Yes, for each investment it is necessary to prepare three comparable quotations, with clear information, tax details, unit prices and consistency between the offers.
Why is it advisable to prepare the application with a specialised engineering firm?
Because the application does not depend solely on submitting documentation. It is also necessary to technically justify the investment, organise the file, avoid errors, improve the score and support the process through to the resolution and collection of the grant.
Can AGB Ingeniers manage the entire grant process?
Yes. At AGB Ingeniers, we support agri-food companies throughout the entire process: feasibility analysis, investment review, document preparation, technical report, submission of the application, follow-up of the file and justification of the investment.