Pork market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish fresh, chilled, and frozen pork market grew in value from $4.8 billion in 2018 to $9.0 billion in 2024. The market saw a contraction in 2020, followed by a sharp recovery in 2021. This rebound coincided with a period where the sector faced a complex shift from favorable conditions to challenges, including falling demand from China, rising costs at all levels, geopolitical conflicts, and historically high price quotations, which influenced the market's dynamics. The acquisition of local processor Adelle Indústria de Alimentos by global meat giant JBS S.A. in April 2019 also signaled a strengthening of international presence in the European pork processing sector, potentially contributing to market activity.

Growth continued through 2022, supported by a 7.4% increase in household consumption of pork and a simultaneous 7% rise in its average price. That year, fresh, chilled, and frozen cuts made up 73% of Spain's pork exports, with sales to China surging by 141%. By 2023, high prices persisted as a reduced EU pig herd kept supply tight, leading to a 10% drop in European pork consumption from 2022 levels. However, Spain adapted by increasing its exports of fresh pork to other European markets by 10%, solidifying its position as the EU's top pork exporter by value. The market maintained its upward trajectory into 2024, navigating ongoing headwinds such as weaker Chinese demand and elevated production costs.

Production pork in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's pork production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output of pork was valued at 10 841 million US dollars, marking a 9.8% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 25.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Spain ranked as the fourth-largest producer of pork between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Spain's pork production volume has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 5 790 thousand tonnes of pork, representing an 8.4% increase over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 20%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports pork from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Pork exports from Spain have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported 2 131 thousand tonnes of pork, showing a significant 23.7% increase from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 40.5%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 12.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain's pork exports in volume terms were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. China accounted for 26.7% of exports, France for 12.4%, and Italy for 9.1%, with these three countries together representing 48.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's pork export values have increased for the third year running. In 2020, exports reached 6 461 million US dollars, up by 26.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export values grew by 62.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's pork exports in value terms were widely spread among partner countries. China held a 25.0% share, France 13.0%, and Japan 10.2%, with these three countries collectively making up 48.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports pork to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's pork import volume has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 99 thousand tonnes of pork, reflecting a 5.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 19.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017–2020, France was the leading source of pork imports to Spain in volume terms, accounting for 29.6% of imports, followed by the Netherlands at 14.6% and Germany at 13.7%. Together, these three countries represented 58.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's pork import value stood at 212 million US dollars, a 3.0% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import values dropped by 19.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 6.8%. The sharpest fall occurred in 2018 at 17.6%, while the only increase was recorded in 2019 at 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the key sources for Spain's pork imports in value terms. France contributed 21.8%, the Netherlands 18.5%, and Germany 16.8%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 57.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020