Beef and pork supply chains sign agreement with Córdoba startup to ensure traceability

A couple of years ago, La Voz reported that meatpacker Bustos y Beltrán had implemented a blockchain traceability system to identify the origin of its vacuum-packed cuts, and that the software had been developed with 100% Córdoba-made technology.

The big news now is that Capazeta, the agrifood tech startup behind that solution, will provide the service to meat producers in the Cluster Porcino de Oncativo and the Asociación de Frigoríficos e Industriales de la Carne (Afic), delivering transparency, safety and trust from farm to table.

The project is driven by the Industry Secretariat of Córdoba's Ministry of Production, Science and Technological Innovation, which is leading the initiative together with Capazeta, with support from the Consejo Federal de Inversiones (CFI), the Ministry of Bioagroindustry and Agencia Competitividad Córdoba (Córdoba Competitiveness Agency), to add value and competitiveness to the food industry.

The solution has three stages: certifying product origin through georeferencing, cybersecure digital labeling, and an alert system for expiring establishment and food product registrations (RNE and RNPA). The goal is a safer, more efficient system that brings transparency to production and distribution.

The blockchain technology creates an immutable record of every step in the supply chain, from the farm where the animals were raised to the end consumer. This not only guarantees the authenticity of food quality data but also gives consumers access to detailed information through QR codes on the label.

"Today, consumers demand more transparency about the food they buy and eat, and our platform makes it easy for producers to communicate their commitment to origin, quality and sustainability," said Ignacio Casanovas, co-founder and CEO of Capazeta.

Digital transformation: transparency and trust

Adopting blockchain in the food industry does more than promote transparency and quality; it also brings a range of benefits for producers and distributors. By providing a detailed, immutable record of every stage of the supply chain, Capazeta's solution enables more efficient inventory management and makes it easier to comply with international regulations, which is essential to reach increasingly demanding global markets.

One of the project's most innovative features is cybersecure digital labeling, which gives access to information by scanning a QR code. The label lets consumers see the product's origin, production process, certifications and sustainability practices. This information is key to building trust and transparency, two things today's consumers increasingly expect as they take a closer interest in the traceability of the food they eat.

The system also includes alerts that notify producers when mandatory registrations are about to expire, such as the National Establishment Registry (RNE) and the National Food Product Registry (RNPA). This helps keep safety and quality standards up to date, avoiding penalties and ensuring compliance with current regulations. The technology also helps reduce food waste by enabling a fast response to any irregularity detected in the supply chain.

A public-private partnership

"Public-private collaboration is one of the cornerstones of this project, which aims to drive the digital transformation of the food industry in the province of Córdoba, improving competitiveness and helping companies align with increasingly demanding international regulations, such as deforestation-free certification linked to the Common Agricultural Policy and the European Union's Green Deal under the EUDR," the Córdoba-based startup said.

The company's CEO stressed that this public-private partnership "is essential to carry out projects of this scale, because by working together we are laying the foundations for a safer, more efficient food industry aligned with the demands of 21st-century consumers."

The involvement of organizations such as the Cluster Porcino de Oncativo and the Asociación de Frigoríficos e Industriales de la Carne (Afic) is also crucial, as it gives producers access to advanced technology, helps them professionalize the way they run their business and improves their competitiveness in the market.

Capazeta, from Córdoba to the world

Capazeta, founded by Ignacio Casanovas (CEO), Eduardo Casanovas (CTO) and Manuel Casanovas (COO), has made steady progress since day one. It joined a pre-acceleration program at Instituto Córdoba, based at the Universidad Católica de Córdoba (UCC). It then secured co-investment from Agencia Córdoba Innovar y Emprender alongside three investors from Córdoba's food industry, plus support from Endeavor Argentina. It also went through the Fide business incubator.

Capazeta

Last year, competing against more than 400 ventures, the team won the Demo Day of a soft landing program for Latin American innovation startups held at La Nave in Madrid.

After successfully closing an angel investment round in 2024, the startup was selected by Embarca, a leading accelerator focused on expansion across Latin America.

This opportunity allows Capazeta to expand its presence in the region and work with more local producers, promoting the adoption of blockchain technology in the food supply chain.