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The congress addressed various topics that will have a key role in the future of the industry. Highlights include:
Market and economy with a special emphasis on China, its expectations for recovery, and its impact on the global pork and raw materials market. African swine fever has decimated pig production in China, creating unprecedented export opportunities for Spain and other producing countries. Control of the disease is far from being achieved, but China has shown a great interest in ensuring its self-sufficiency in food, so it is not expected that the current high volume of imports will be maintained over time. Spain has become the leading supplier of pork to China, even though it only accounts for 2.4% of its total consumption. This increase in Chinese demand has led to a rise in the price of pork. Despite this positive news, the industry must be aware of the economic risk that comes from the concentration of sales to this destination, the loss of market share in other destinations, as well as the problems resulting from the increase in the cost of pork as a raw material for the processing industry. The other great danger for the Spanish industry is the risk of African swine fever entering, increased by its advance in Europe and the increase of imported pigs destined for Spain. The global situation regarding raw materials, with the increases observed recently, is due to the activity of investment funds, but above all to the effect of China as a destabilizing element in the markets with massive purchases, which has generated an upswing in prices.
Sustainability was addressed from different perspectives, such as the role feed has in minimizing the excretion of nutrients and the carbon footprint, the management of slurry in order to add value as a fertilizer and energy source, as well as the challenge that regulations will pose for the industry, such as the legislation on emissions ceilings, which may shape the future of production in the next 10 years. The Chilean company Agrosuper, a leader in pork production, presented its vertical and proprietary business model, with special emphasis on sustainability projects.
Health as a basic part of production was present at the Congress, including the advances made in China to achieve an effective and safe vaccine against ASF, as well as several panels on PCV2 and PRRS featuring international experts.
The future of the industry was discussed with presentations on applied technology as well as on the development of new legislation, with the participation of a representative of the Ministry, and the impact on professionals in the industry, represented by a field veterinarian.
The event was attended by 655 registered participants and 25 speakers and moderators from Asia, North America, South America, and of course Europe.
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