Spain’s huge pork industry seeks salvation from swine fever threat

Spain’s Massive Pork Sector Struggles to Recover from Swine Fever Crisis

Jordi Saltiveri, president of Catalonia’s farming cooperatives, reflects on the day last autumn when news of African Swine Fever (ASF) reached his family’s farm. The 8,000-pig operation, passed down through generations, now faces uncertainty as the virus threatens the industry. “I felt a mix of sorrow and frustration,” he recalls, noting the fear of losing export markets. The outbreak, though confined to the north-east, has cast a shadow over Spain’s pork production.

Outbreak Origins in Collserola Park

The initial discovery of an infected wild boar in Collserola Park, near Barcelona, triggered rapid action. Authorities sealed the nature reserve, limiting access and searching for more carcasses. Despite this, the virus’s presence remains a cause for concern, with experts linking its spread to the region’s dense boar population. “The overpopulation of wild animals has created a perfect environment for disease transmission,” explains Òscar Ordeig, Catalonia’s agriculture minister.

“Being too permissive with wild animals has led to an overpopulation of rabbits, deer and wild boar,” says Òscar Ordeig. “They cause a massive increase in traffic accidents and spread diseases.”

Ordeig estimates that Catalonia hosts between 120,000 and 180,000 boars, a number he aims to halve through culling. Rural police are targeting a 6km radius around the first cases, marked as high risk, while a 20km zone is under surveillance. Traps, drones, and cameras track the animals, whose carcasses are tested for ASF. By late March, 232 boars had confirmed positive results.

Spain’s pork industry, once the largest in Europe with a €25bn valuation, now grapples with the economic fallout. Export markets in Brazil, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, and the US have suspended imports, while EU nations and the UK impose localized bans. The drop in demand has not only reduced sales but also depressed prices, directly hurting farmers like Saltiveri. “Each pig sold has lost between €30 and €40 in value,” he says, emphasizing the sector’s vulnerability.

Unión de Uniones, a farming coalition, reports over €600m in losses since the crisis began. Officials stress the need for “extreme biosecurity” to safeguard the industry. “We must leverage all resources to protect our economy and farmers,” Ordeig adds, highlighting the stakes for Spain’s agricultural backbone.