Economy of Póvoa de Varzim
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In 2001, the population working in the primary sector, industries and other similar activities made up almost 39% of the population of Póvoa de Varzim, while 46% of the population (plus 27% in related activities) worked in civil construction, commerce, restaurants, hotels and other services. The unemployment rate of Póvoa de Varzim was 5.2% in the first quarter of 2005. Meanwhile, the activity rate had grown from 48% to 51.1% from 1991 to 2001. [1]
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[edit] Coastal economy
The fact that it is a seaside city has shaped Póvoa de Varzim's economy: the fishing industry, from the fishing vessels that put in each day to the canning industry, beach agriculture, weed-gathering for fertilizing fields, and tourism are the result of its geography. Tourism and the related industries, namely the casino and hotels, are more important in Póvoa's economy these days, as fisheries have lost importance, even as the employment level has stabilised.
Energy self-sustainability is foreseen with the installation of the first world-wide wave energy plant, the Okeanós. This park, consisting of three Palamis machines, is being installed north of the city[2]. In the first phase (2006), the park will produce 2.25 megawatts, enough energy for 1500 houses. In 2008, it is expected that the Okeanós will become a true plant consisting of 28 machines capable to produce 24 mW, supplying 250 thousand inhabitants, 10% of that energy, (capable of supplying one third of the population of municipality) will be assigned to the city[3]. The Okeanós will produce clean and renewable energy, with reduced visual pollution and without incidental costs.
[edit] Commerce, technology and industry
Traditional commercial activities are united in the Associação Comercial da Póvoa de Varzim, founded in 1893. An important part of traditional commerce occurs in Rua da Junqueira, a commercial pedestrian street in the centre of the city, which is being rationalized by the creation of its own association.
Some national software companies are headquartered in Póvoa de Varzim. The municipality also plans to build a technological park in the north of the city, in Aver-o-Mar.
Industry is still an important employer, mostly in the textile industry that has low productivity and income. These industries are located in Beiriz, Balasar, and Rates. Other employers include the blanket handicraft industry of Terroso and Laundos, and rope making. Wood industries are centred in Rates.
The industrial areas are being transferred to or installed in locations outside the city and occupy an area of about 1418 thousand square metres. One of the thriving initiatives of the municipality is the Parque Industrial de Laundos (Industrial Park of Laundos, 223 311 m2) that is in close proximity and linked to the A28 Motorway[4].
[edit] Agriculture and cattle
Despite being a small municipality, Póvoa de Varzim is one of the major food suppliers of Greater Porto.
The agriculture, specialized in horticultural goods, is dominated by small farms and is important in the economy of most civil parishes, Póvoa de Varzim is part of the Vinho Verde region, an ancient winemaking region, whose wines are praised both nationally and internationally.
The agriculture in both parts of the municipality, coastal plain and hills, is shaped by local conditions and thus is significantly varied. The interior region possesses marked Minho farming characteristics, while the coastal populations developed the masseiras, a native farming practice based in the sand dunes, adapted to the soil and strong maritime influence.
Masseira is a unique farming practice that is in danger of extinction[5]. These are large rectangular diggings in the outsized and sandy beaches of the region. In the diggings' sides, known as quatro vales (four valleys), vineyards are cultivated, in order to protect the central area from the North Winds; the grapes are matured by the heat of the sand thus producing good wine. In the central part, fresh water, not salty, is found and everything can be cultivated, but large amounts of water must be added, along with Sargasso from the nearby ocean.
Cattle are important in the parishes of Rates Mountains for the production of milk and meat. The Enterprise Centre of Agros (Union of Milk Producers Cooperatives from Entre-Douro-e-Minho and Trás-os-Montes, part of Lactogal) is under construction near the intersection of the A28 and A11 motorways. This will be the future headquarters of the company and will have an exhibition park, laboratories, museum and commercial and transportation department, thus becoming the largest agricultural project in the North of Portugal[6]. The LEICAR, Association of Milk and Meat producers have headquarters in Rates, the rural centre of the municipality.
[edit] Local economy
- civil construction: buildings, motorways
- Construction materials
- private hospitals
- ERP software
- Gambling, hotels and restaurants
- rope making
- textile industry / handicraft industry
- lifts industry (headquarters) - Póvoa de Varzim/Vila do Conde/Esposende
- Paper industry
- Soft drinks
- milk, dairy food (milk production; headquarters) - Póvoa de Varzim/Vila do Conde/Esposende
- food processing
- wine production
- canning industry; fresh fish
- horticulture
