· The spice company has increased its turnover by 12% and raised its profits to 5.5 million euros.

· With these figures, it marks the best year in its history and establishes itself as the leading company in the sector in Spain.

Celebrations taste better accompanied by results, and Jesús Navarro S.A.U. has closed out the centenary year of its flagship brand, Carmencita, with record figures. The Alicante-based company closed the 2024 fiscal year with turnover of 108 million euros, which represents an increase of 46% over the last five fiscal years, and raised its profit to 5.5 million euros, thanks mainly to the company’s strong financial structure, operational management, and the optimisation and efficiency of its production processes.

To achieve this growth, investments have been a key driver and, in that year, amounted to 3.1 million euros, earmarked for improving process efficiency and ensuring products of the highest quality. To a large extent, this investment has been focussed on the completion of the new factory, which will be fully operational in 2026 and which, with its 30,000 square metres and an investment of approximately 30 million euros, will be one of the most modern plants in Europe.

As far as distribution channels, retail accounts for 90% of sales. Carmencita is present in almost all Spanish distribution chains, securing around 60% of the spices and 50% of the sweeteners sold through this channel, thanks in part to its strategic alliance with Mercadona.

In the international arena, Carmencita is part of the Leading Brands of Spain Forum and is present in more than 70 countries, which accounts for 30% of the brand’s sales.

As part of its innovation policy, Carmencita has launched the first line of coffee spices on the market, as well as a special line in collaboration with Starbucks. Likewise, it continues to develop new products with McDonald’s such as “shaker fries” and the seasoning for the CBO Plex menu. In addition, the brand has launched, together with Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada, a limited edition of salt and pepper mills inspired by the designer’s colourful creations.

One of the objectives in recent years has been to boost online sales and grow in the mass consumption sector, demonstrating how spices can transform a dish. In this line, the Carmencita Chair of Gastronomic Taste Studies was created in collaboration with the

University of Alicante as a space for reflection, debate, and research in the field of gastronomy and culinary arts. At the same time, the brand collaborates with the country’s leading culinary schools such as the Basque Culinary Center, which it sponsors, MOM Culinary Institute, Gasma, and the CdT, with the aim of staying in touch with the chefs destined to lead the gastronomy of the future.

The company has a permanent staff of 446 people, emphasising its commitment to parity with an equality plan implemented in 2011, now in its fourth version. Furthermore, a new agreement has been signed through the Provincial Association of Spices and Infusions, which will reduce the work week to 37.5 hours from 2026.

In the field of corporate social responsibility, Carmencita has continued to collaborate actively and financially with various associations, among which Alicante Gastronómica Solidaria stands out. This organisation continues to play a fundamental role by training young people at risk of social exclusion and providing food to the most disadvantaged. The association always stands at the forefront, responding immediately to any social crisis, as happened with last year’s devastating DANA, during which more than 6,000 meals were prepared daily.