Grupo Lusiaves kicked off its 40th-anniversary celebrations with the Grupo Lusiaves Summit | Leiria 2026. Held at the Teatro José Lúcio da Silva, the event brought together policymakers, international experts, and business leaders to discuss key challenges in geopolitics, the economy, and the agri-food industry.

The opening session featured the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, José Manuel Fernandes; the Mayor of Leiria, Gonçalo Lopes; and Avelino Gaspar, President and Founder of Grupo Lusiaves, who highlighted the group's journey and vision over the past four decades.

The program included presentations from several prominent figures, including Paulo Portas, who addressed the global geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape; Nan-Dirk Mulder, a specialist from Rabobank, who presented key global trends in animal protein; and Madalena Lordelo, Vice-President of the School of Agriculture (ISA), who reflected on innovation in the poultry sector. Paulo Macedo, CEO of Caixa Geral de Depósitos, also provided insights into the competitiveness of Portuguese companies.

A highlight was the roundtable discussion hosted by the Business Round Table Portugal (BRP), an association of leaders from Portugal's top companies dedicated to promoting economic growth, competitiveness, and the country's internationalization. Moderated by Anselmo Crespo, the session featured Carlos Moreira da Silva, João Ortigão Costa, and Ricardo Pires, who debated innovation, scale, and the international positioning of businesses.

The event also featured a segment titled “40 Years Creating the Future,” with the participation of the Gaspar family, and concluded with the launch of the book “40 Years of Legacy,” which chronicles the history and evolution of Grupo Lusiaves.

In his address, the Group’s President and Founder, Avelino Gaspar, emphasized the importance of upholding the values that have driven the group's growth. He stated, “We have learned the path and created the conditions to continue growing, but we must not forget our origins. Because past success is no guarantee of future success, we must maintain rigor, high standards, cost control, a sense of urgency, and remain at the forefront of product and technological innovation.”

He also highlighted the role of Grupo Lusiaves in the communities where it operates, noting, “Our growth has been accompanied by an active commitment to local development, job creation, and territorial cohesion. More than just a company that sets up shop, the Group acts as a partner to these communities, contributing to their economic and social vitality and giving back to the regions where we operate.”

One of the most significant aspects highlighted during the event was the growth and internationalization trajectory of Grupo Lusiaves. Over four decades, it has evolved from an initial structure of 32 employees to a group of approximately 6,000 people with a presence in several international markets, including Spain and France, and is the largest shareholder in one of Scandinavia's leading poultry groups. This journey reflects a consistent strategy of expansion, investment, and value creation, establishing the Group as a benchmark in the agri-food sector across the Iberian Peninsula and Europe.

With this track record of growth, innovation, and internationalization, Grupo Lusiaves reinforces its position as a key player in the Iberian agri-food sector, contributing to food security and economic development.

The event concluded with a celebratory dinner in the center of Leiria, bringing together guests, partners, and institutional representatives.