Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

In the early years, the Spanish market for salted and smoked pork bellies was shaped by traditional production methods in regions like León, where curing and smoking without preservatives appealed to consumers seeking artisanal and natural products. European labeling regulation changes also influenced product presentation. However, market volume declined in 2019 and 2020, the latter partly due to global supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, which constrained raw material availability despite increased at-home consumption during lockdowns.

Post-2020, the market rebounded sharply, reaching 64 298 tons in 2021 and continuing to grow to 92 555 tons by 2024. This sustained expansion occurred alongside persistent consumer demand for traditional and craft products, as well as culinary trends that promoted the use of pork bellies in Spanish and international dishes. The absence of major new regulatory shifts during this period allowed the market to expand steadily.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 335.6 million US dollars, representing a slight 2.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 19%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Spain's production volume of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 61 215 tonnes were produced, indicating a moderate 8.9% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 71 274 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 13.6%.

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

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts from Spain

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Spain exported 4 737 tonnes of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts, down by 4.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 12.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 9.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 1.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, the Netherlands, and France were the main markets for Spain's exports in kind, accounting for 23.7%, 21.1%, and 19.6% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 64.4% 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, K $ US

Spain's export value of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 8.185 million US dollars, marking a 10.1% contraction from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 24%, with an annualized rate of 8.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France, Italy, and the Netherlands remained the primary markets for Spain's exports in value terms, with shares of 32.2%, 13.1%, and 8.6%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 54.0% 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 salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts to Spain

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Spain's import volume of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts increased in 2020. Imports reached 287 tonnes, showing a sharp 39.0% uptick from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 44%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 206 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 44.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the principal suppliers of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts to Spain, accounting for 36.6%, 26.6%, and 10.5% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 73.7% of total imports.

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, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, Spain's import value of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts rose in 2020. Imports totalled 2.051 million US dollars, indicating a steep 65.1% advance compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21%, with an annualized rate of 7.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1.243 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 45.0%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Poland led as the top suppliers of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts to Spain in value terms, with shares of 50.6%, 19.1%, and 7.9%, respectively. Their combined share reached 77.6% of total imports.

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

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