CEGROBB held its Annual General Assembly on 14 and 15 May 2025 in Barcelona, kindly hosted by Fedis Horeca. The President warmly thanked the host federation, and in particular Ana and Jordi, for the excellent organisation and hospitality throughout the event.

The General Assembly took place against a backdrop of economic and political uncertainty at international level, reinforcing the importance of CEGROBB’s role in representing and defending the interests of beverage wholesalers and distributors at European level. The President underlined the growing pressures faced by the sector, including tightening conditions from producers and industrial partners, increasing price sensitivity from customers, declining alcohol consumption, changing consumer behaviour, and rising demands in logistics and mobility.

Sustainability was highlighted as a central strategic issue for the future of the sector. In this context, particular attention was given to reuse and circularity, with the upcoming discussion on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) identified as a key opportunity to engage constructively on regulatory developments while safeguarding the efficiency and competitiveness of member companies.

The programme also included visits to two of Spain’s leading beverage wholesalers, B-Grup and Disbesa. Participants particularly appreciated the visit to B-Grup, where the integration of Skypod technology developed by Exotec by Dexter showcased the growing impact of automation on modern logistics. The continued success of Grupo Disbesa, on the other hand, demonstrated that more traditional operating models can still thrive in an increasingly digitalised environment.

The Assembly also addressed organisational matters. CEGROBB noted with regret the departure of Switzerland as a member, while welcoming the return of Christiaan Hammiga, Director of DrankenCompagnie, with the hope of re-establishing links with the Dutch federation. The participation of Liu Janssen (FLAD – Fédération Luxembourgeoise de l’Alimentation et de la Distribution) was also welcomed, reflecting the continued engagement of national federations within CEGROBB.

Finally, members were invited to actively contribute to discussions on a dense agenda, including important decisions related to the statutes. The President concluded by reaffirming the importance of unity, active participation, and a shared vision to ensure the strength and relevance of CEGROBB in the years ahead.