In 2022, Spain remained the main producer and exporter of pork in the European Union (EU). However, sources in the sector foresee declines in the pig herd, the number of sows and pig production in Spain in 2023 and 2024, after reaching record levels in 2022. The magazine Eurocarne has echoed the report from the USDA, Department of Agriculture of the USA, on the evolution of the pork sector in Spain.
Among other reasons, the drop in production is due to:
Reducing bristles
Outbreaks of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in Catalonia and Aragon
Decrease in pork exports to China and other non-EU markets
Royal Decree 159/2023 on Animal Welfare, which includes stricter requirements for sows and pigs than community regulations: Spain will have to restructure the pig sector over the next two years to readjust pork production
Despite everything, according to Trade Data Monitor (TDM), Spain continued to be the main world exporter of pork meat and products in 2022, with 2.7 million tons in carcass weight equivalent (CWE) of pork valued at 7 billion dollars.
You have more information at EuroCarne.
