Jorge Costa

EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2026 finalist, Spain
CEO, Grupo Costa

Jorge Costa is scaling responsible food production through a commitment to rural communities.

Jorge Costa is reshaping the agri-food sector to feed the world responsibly. His connection to the land began long before he led one of Europe’s most ambitious agri-food groups. Raised in a family deeply rooted in rural life, Jorge grew up around the business his father founded in 1966, learning firsthand the value of hard work, honesty and long-term thinking. As a second-generation leader, he has carried forward a clear belief: rural territories can be center of innovation, opportunity and sustainable growth.

When he became president in 2009, Jorge focused on securing the Grupo Costa’s future by building a resilient, sustainable model capable of generating opportunities for generations to come. Through vertical integration, diversification and internationalization, Grupo Costa has evolved from a traditional livestock operation into a global agri-food group, employing 3,500 people and operating in more than 100 countries.

Guided by a commitment to sustainability and innovation, Jorge promotes economic growth while creating quality jobs in rural areas. He is leading the development of Europe’s largest agro industrial complex, which is expected to generate 5,300 jobs in Spain while expanding in Latin America to create more than 10,000 rural jobs. His purpose remains clear: to feed the world in a healthy, sustainable way.