Exports of the Spanish pork sector exceeded five billion euros in 2017

The pig sector of Spanish white coat closed the year of 2017 with a historical record, which consolidates it as one of the strategic engines of the national economy and as a great world power, thanks to its model of sustainable production. A turnover of more than 15,000 million euros, and exports that totaled 5,022 million euros in 2017, confirm this positive valuation, according to a report of INTERPORC, the Interprofessional of Porcino de Capa Blanca. This organization will once again have an active participation and represent this important economic segment in MEAT ATTRACTION 2018, the Meat Sector Fair. The only Spanish show devoted exclusively to the meat industry, organized by IFEMA and the National Association of Meat Industries of Spain, ANICE, will hold its second edition from September 18 to 20 at the Feria de Madrid.

Those 15,000 million euros of turnover achieved last year accounted for 1.4% of national GDP, 14% of agricultural production, and 37% of livestock production. The strength of the sector in Spain contributes to strengthen the leadership of our country in foreign markets. In fact, Spanish exports of white-coat pork reached a value of 5,022 million euros last year, which represented an increase of 12% compared to 2016, and exported more than 2 million tons, that is, a 5 % more than in 2016. During the last decade, the sector has increased its external turnover by almost 60% and doubled the value of its products.

Both the volume of turnover and the amount of product exported to more than 130 countries, are the result of a sustainable production model in all links of the pig sector value chain. Aspects such as quality and food safety, animal welfare or respect for the environment are being decisive for the good opinion on the Spanish product in foreign markets, and that are allowing this sector to conquer international markets. In Spain, rigorous community regulations are scrupulously complied with and, in some cases, even pioneering. For example, Spain was the first country in the European Union to comply with legislation on animal welfare.

Among its main clients, within the European Union, are France, followed by Italy, Portugal, Poland, the United Kingdom and Germany. Outside the EU borders, the main importer of Spanish white-coat pigs is China, followed by Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong.

Almost 80% of that foreign turnover comes from fresh, chilled or frozen meats, with 1.5 million tons and 3,607 million euros. This type of products, together with the pork offal (276,011 tonnes and 313 million euros), account for 86% of the exported volume and 78% of the foreign turnover of Spanish pigs.

It should also be noted that the sales of sausages (74,248 tons), bacon (67,425 tons) and cured hams and shoulders (60,287 tons) continue to gain weight. In the case of the latter, they recorded a notable increase in value of almost 500 million euros, which represented an increase of more than 40% in the last decade.

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