Spain resumes pork exports to the Philippines under ASF regionalisation rules
Spain has resumed pork shipments from African-swine-fever-free areas to the Philippines after the two countries agreed on regionalisation. Export certificates became available on 22 May, while Barcelona province and processed products remain excluded.
Spanish pork shipments restart
Spain has resumed pork exports to the Philippines under a regionalisation agreement that keeps trade open from areas free of African swine fever, or ASF. Livestock Export Certificates, known as CEXGAN certificates, could again be issued from 22 May for eligible meat and meat products produced after 8 May, according to Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The Philippine Department of Agriculture had formally recognised Spain’s regionalisation measures through Department Circular No. 22. The Philippine News Agency reported that the measure permits imports of pork meat, pig skin and other swine by-products under sanitary conditions agreed by Manila and Madrid. Import transactions must also comply with Philippine quarantine rules and Administrative Circular No. 12 of 2025, which provides a framework for bilateral recognition of ASF regionalisation.
Barcelona remains outside the approved zone
The arrangement replaces nationwide restrictions with geographically targeted controls. Europa Press reported that the Philippine Bureau of Animal Industry recognised all Spanish territory except Barcelona province as free for the purposes of the agreement. Barcelona remains restricted following the detection of an ASF outbreak there in November. Processed pork products are also excluded for now, and the two governments continue to negotiate the conditions governing that category.
BusinessWorld reported that the Philippine authorities concluded that Spain maintains sufficient veterinary oversight and disease-control measures to reduce the risk of ASF transmission. The rules require eligible products to originate in ASF-free regions. They must be transported under the agreed controls and pass the relevant veterinary inspections. The distinction between the regulatory decision and the operational restart is significant: S&P Global reported that the import ban was lifted effective 7 May, while the issuance of Spanish export certificates resumed on 22 May.
Spain returns to a major Asian market
The Philippines is Spain’s third-largest pork export destination by volume and accounts for about 14% of Spanish shipments, according to the Spanish agriculture ministry. Spain is also the Philippines’ second-largest supplier, behind Brazil. BusinessWorld put Philippine imports from Spain at 166,544 metric tons in the previous year, equal to 19.55% of the country’s pork and pork-product imports.
Spanish establishments have been authorised to supply the Philippine market since 2013, and 175 establishments held approval by 2025. Spanish pork exports to the Philippines were worth €86.78 million in 2025. Pork ranked as Spain’s third-largest agri-food export to the country by value, after alcoholic beverages and offal. Total Spanish agri-food exports to the Philippines reached €577.07 million, against imports of €258.59 million, producing a Spanish surplus of €318.48 million.
The reopening restores access for Spanish producers without removing controls around the affected area. For Philippine buyers, it returns a major supplier to the approved pool and broadens sourcing alongside Brazil. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the measure could diversify meat supplies and ease pressure on domestic pork prices while retaining animal-health safeguards. Competition will now depend on how quickly approved Spanish plants rebuild shipments and whether negotiations reopen the market to processed products.
