The Sevillian town of Estepa has kicked off the production of its traditional shortbread and polvorones, emblematic products of the Spanish Christmas. This campaign is expected to exceed the 15 million kilos produced last year, consolidating the activity as a fundamental pillar of local identity and economy.
This sector, composed of family businesses rather than large multinationals, generates around 2,200 direct jobs, approximately 85% of which are held by women. The President of the Regulatory Council, José María Fernández, highlighted the excellent quality-price ratio of these sweets, which bodes well for a positive campaign despite the sector's efforts to minimize the impact of rising costs on consumers.
One of the main challenges for the sector is the shortage of labor during the peak months, due to marked seasonality. Some companies have opted to diversify their production to mitigate this. The Regulatory Council, with the support of institutions such as the Provincial Council of Seville and the Junta de Andalucía, continues to promote these products.
In addition to their economic value, Estepa's shortbread and polvorones have become a significant tourist attraction. Companies promote industrial tourism by opening their facilities, and the recent urban bus service launched by the Estepa City Council facilitates visitor access.
With the start of the campaign, the ovens in Estepa are back in operation, preparing to supply homes not only across Spain but also on five continents.
