March 31, 2014

Spain's swine production reached its peak historic value at US$8.6 billion, which entails more than 39% of total stockbreeding production, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

With respect to production, it is kept at about 3.4 million tonnes, with a slight drop with respect to 2012. The number of slaughtered animals is practically the same, with a small decrease of some 150,000 pigs. Likewise, the average weight of the carcasses barely falls by 300 grammes with respect to year 2012.

An increase in the value of the exports is confirmed. They grew again by 2.5% in 2013, reaching €3,327 million (US$4.6 billion). Regarding the volume of the exports, slight increases in the exports to other European Union member countries have been shown.

The datum on domestic consumption shows a growth of the consumption of fresh meat by 2.27% and of processed meat by 1.46%.

The census shows a slight increase by 1.6% favoured by the rise in the number of fattening pigs. Nevertheless, the number of sows decreased by 1.5%.

The average price of pig meat in Spain was 11.39% higher than its average price in 2012.