One year after the DANA on 29 October 2024 that severely affected the province of Valencia, the food and beverage sector shows an advanced, albeit uneven, level of recovery. The scale of the damage—particularly in l’Horta Sud and La Ribera—required urgent reconstruction measures, exceptional financial support, and a strong push for the digitalization of businesses and services. As of November 2025, it is possible to assess the impact and the solutions adopted to reactivate commercial activity.
Reconstruction of Food Retail: The Leading Role of Consum
Among the most affected companies is the cooperative Consum, which reported damage to 69 establishments, including 39 Consum supermarkets and 30 Charter franchises. Since late 2024, Consum activated a Reconstruction Plan with over 1,000 professionals and a 35 million euro investment aimed at rehabilitating 78,000 m² of commercial space.
By mid-2025, all affected stores had reopened, following a phased schedule that ensured at least one operational store in each municipality. Reconstruction not only repaired damages but also modernized supermarkets with self-checkout systems, energy efficiency improvements, space reorganization, and new customer services. Additionally, Consum strengthened the commercial offer by opening three new stores in Massanassa, Aldaia, and Alaquàs, areas particularly affected by the storm.
Consum also launched a campaign distributing 124,000 solidarity bags, with all proceeds going directly to small local businesses, thus supporting the local food supply chain.
Institutional Support and Recovery Aid
The recovery of food retail has been accompanied by several public support measures:
- Generalitat Valenciana
Implemented emergency aid for SMEs, shops, hospitality, and services, including a specific line for the agri-food sector. In 2025, the Bono Comercio Local (CBODAN) program was opened to stimulate consumption in affected municipalities and support local commerce and artisanal businesses. - Diputación de Valencia
In September 2025, launched a consumption voucher campaign in 26 municipalities, selling 9,000 vouchers in the first five hours and projecting an economic impact of 10 million euros. Over 300 businesses joined, including key sectors such as food, bakeries, butchers, and greengrocers. - Consorci de la Ribera
Through the Ribera Impulsa program, supported self-employed workers and businesses with aid application guidance, administrative support, and digitalization processes. - Cruz Roja (Red Cross)
Distributed €4.71 million in shopping cards for exclusive use in local stores, simultaneously supporting social needs and local food commerce.
Digitalization: A Resilience Accelerator
The DANA became a turning point in the adoption of digital tools in food retail. By 2025, digitalization has consolidated in:
- inventory and order management systems,
- customer communication via social media and digital channels,
- implementation of electronic payment and self-checkout,
- online catalogs for local orders,
- digital training for traditional businesses.
Many small businesses that lacked digital presence in 2024 now operate with basic e-commerce tools, enhancing competitiveness and emergency response capacity.
Small Business Situation One Year Later
Although recovery is widespread, small businesses remain the most vulnerable. At the beginning of 2025, Confecomerç estimated that 20% of commerce in the affected areas remained closed and 25% were at risk of permanent closure, particularly among self-employed owners over 60. However, the deployment of consumption vouchers, financial aid, and solidarity initiatives has gradually reduced these figures over the year.
Conclusion
One year later, the recovery of food retail in the province of Valencia can be considered solid, thanks to a combination of private investment, institutional support, and the activation of local consumption. Supermarket modernization, SME assistance, and digitalization have been crucial to revitalizing the sector in affected municipalities. The experience of this year demonstrates that public-private collaboration and technological innovation are essential for strengthening the resilience of food retail against future extreme weather events.