14º AECOC Encuentro Contra el Desperdicio Alimentario 2026

The AECOC Meeting Point Against Food Waste is an annual, in‑person congress held in Madrid, often at CaixaForum. It focuses on the entire agri‑food value chain, emphasizing that reducing waste requires collaboration between producers, retailers, hospitality, logistics, and consumers.

The event has been running for 14 years, making it a long‑standing reference point in Spain’s sustainability landscape.

It is organized by AECOC, Spain’s major association of manufacturers and distributors.

Key themes

1. New Spanish food‑waste legislation - The congress places strong emphasis on the Ley de Prevención de las Pérdidas y el Desperdicio Alimentario, recently approved in Spain. This law marks a turning point for how companies must prevent, measure, and manage food waste.
2. Best practices and case studies  - Participants learn about successful prevention initiatives from industry, retail, and hospitality—covering surplus optimization, logistics improvements, consumer education, and circular‑economy solutions.
3. Innovation and collaboration - The event highlights the need for innovation, imagination, and cross‑sector collaboration to “rediscover the value of food.”
4. Networking and strategic alignment - It serves as a major networking hub, enabling stakeholders to align strategies and explore new partnerships.

Who attends

• Food manufacturers and retailers
• Hospitality and food‑service companies
• Public administrations
• Food banks and consumer associations
• Sustainability and circular‑economy experts

The congress is considered a national benchmark for food‑waste reduction. It helps companies understand regulatory obligations, discover innovative solutions, and coordinate efforts across the value chain—critical for reducing Spain’s significant annual food waste.

More information on the congress will be published on their website: 14º Punto de Encuentro Contra el Desperdicio Alimentario