The Agrícola i Secció de Crèdit d’Albinyana and Agrícola de Calafell have formalized their merger, with the latter being absorbed by the former. This process involves the dissolution of the Calafell cooperative without liquidation, transferring all its assets in bulk to Albinyana.
These types of mergers are common in the agricultural sector, particularly when a cooperative experiences a decline in farming activity and membership. The Albinyana cooperative, with a larger membership base, is thus taking over Calafell's. Some farmers from Calafell were already taking their grapes for winemaking to L’Arboç, while carob was still processed in Calafell and olives were already taken to Albinyana.
According to Rafel Solé, president of the Calafell cooperative, these consolidations provide greater strength to the activity. Furthermore, the Albinyana cooperative offers a credit section service that Calafell lacked. The current agricultural sector situation necessitates joining forces, as has already occurred with other cooperatives in the area, such as those in La Bisbal del Penedès and Bellvei, which channel their produce to Sant Jaume dels Domenys.
Regarding the Calafell cooperative building, the City Council plans to convert part of it into a civic center and another section into a museum dedicated to the municipality's agricultural past.
