Montalegre Smoked Meats

The project "Fumeiro de Montalegre – Cooperar para competir e desenvolver" set out to help improve the competitiveness of the smoked meats sector, by building producers' capacity, improving their organisational structure, attracting new investors and investing heavily in promoting and publicising Montalegre smoked meats in association with the brand and momentum of the Municipality of Montalegre.

The actions carried out were:

• Development of the strategic plan for the competitiveness of the smoked meats sector in the areas of production, sales and promotion;
• Design of the Good Practice Handbook for producing Montalegre smoked meats;
• Development of the Technical and Economic Model for the Production and Processing of Smoked Meats for those wishing to take up the activity professionally;
• Preparation of the Business Plan for creating a Ham Value-Adding Unit and the Montalegre Ham House through the establishment of a Producer Organisation;
• Drafting of the Butchery Specifications to support the organisation of the abattoir;
• Technical visits to producers to support the implementation of food safety systems, traceability, health plans and feeding plans;
• Organisation of producer meetings, capacity-building sessions, study visits and participation in fairs;
• Support with the PGI certification of Montalegre Ham.