Economic Analysis Financial Catalan wine sector

Abstract

Purpose: The present study reflects the economic and financial analysis of major wine production firms in Catalonia 2008-2012. The wine industry is considered to be a strategic sector within Catalan agribusiness considered the to be first food cluster in Europe according to the Stockholm clusters observatory School of Economics. The study positions these Catalan industries and Spanish within the food sector and presents the main economic and financial indicators to diagnose the health of these companies during the period indicated by analyzing short and long-term results and analysis of changes in equity and cash flows of the wineries.

Design/methodology/approach: The data used comes from the statements of the wine industry in the period 2008-2012 and in particular it contains a sample of wine producing companies considered large-level accounting (according to the General Accounting Plan). Catalan companies have a minimum income of € 5.7 million and have minimum assets of € 2,85 million in the sample carried out using descriptive statistics and analysis results and conclusions have been reached.

Findings: The study noted that enables wineries in this period do have a healthy economic and financial status, with a small number of companies producing the majority of the sales. Although sales have increased there has been a reduction they in economic performance due to increasied operating expenses in this period. So they don’t have a balanced growth.

Research limitations/implications: It would be desirable to extend the sample to small wineries and to get present data to confirm trend changes in economic and financial analysis.

Practical implications: It allows us to assess the projection of this sector in recent years in Catalonia in order to take the appropriate economic decisions in this regard.

Social implications: The results showed changes are needed in the sector so that Catalan wine companies can maintain their good position.

Originality / value: For partnerships, cooperatives and wine companies to give relevant economic information and financial health of wine businesses in this difficult period with instructions help meet the challenges of the future.