September 18, 2023

Spain's swine sector could see lower production in 2023 and 2024

Spain's swine sector expects a continued downward trend in swine and pork production in 2023 and 2024 to slightly less than five million tonnes of pork and below 55 million heads slaughtered.

Industry sources forecast declines in the swine herd and numbers of sows in both years after hitting record levels last year. The reduction in sows and pig numbers in 2023 is partially compensated by increased EU imports of piglets, mainly from the Netherlands and Portugal, which may continue in 2024.

The main driver to this reduction — other than the expected decline in pork exports to China and other non-EU markets — is the Spanish Royal Decree 159/2023 on Animal Welfare, which includes stricter requirements for sows and pigs than the EU regulation.

Existing farms will have two years to make the adaptations. Due to these adjustments, sow herd and slaughter may continue to decline in 2023 and 2024, with higher carcass weights needed to reach the level of pork production slightly below five million tonnes. The Spanish swine sector expects another increase in sow slaughter in 2023.

Meanwhile, exports to the European Union may remain strong due to the shortage of pork meat in other EU member states.

During the first half of 2023, Spanish pork exports rose in value by 13.5% due to the increase in the pork unit value, compensating for the 9% decline in volume.

Spain's pork imports from non-EU markets account for only 2% of total imports.

With the price hikes in both Spanish and EU pork, Spain's pork imports from non-EU markets with lower pork prices may continue to increase, with product mainly destined for pork processing plants.

- USDA