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The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Isabel García Tejerina, and the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Union, Phil Hogan, inaugurated last week the Third International Forum of the pig sector, organized by INTERPORC (Interprofessional Agri-food Organization for Spanish White Pigs), which discussions focused on international agreements in a global context.
García Tejerina stressed that the pig industry has not stopped growing in recent years, to become one of the most thriving sectors of the Spanish economy.
In her speech, the Minister explained that the number of animals slaughtered in 2015 exceeded 46 million, 10 million more than in 2000, while production is about 3.9 million tonnes, the highest in history, with a revenue of €5,700 M. These data place Spain as the fourth global leading producer, behind China, the United States and Germany, and the second largest producer of pork in the European Union.
The Minister also stressed the "clear export vocation" of this sector. Thus, in 2015 Spain placed about 1.9 million tonnes on the international market, making it the fourth largest exporter in the world, surpassed only by Germany, the United States and the Netherlands, with a revenue of more than €4,000 M.
She also explained that both the exports volume and value increased again in 2015 (over 16% and over 9%, respectively). This trend is accentuated in the first months of 2016. Thus, in July 31, the pig sector has exported about 1.3 million tonnes, worth €2,600 M (+ 22% and + 13%, respectively, compared to the same period of 2015).
In this regard, the Minister highlighted the expansion of exports to third countries, which increased by 58% to €977 M, the result of an increase in both export volume (69%) and the average export price (27 %).
In particular, Spain can export to 104 countries outside the EU, mainly to China, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and the Philippines. And this year, the Ministry of Agriculture helped to open up the Mexico and Chile's market of fresh meat, besides obtaining the authorization to export to China for new establishments.
Friday, October 14, 2016 / MAGRAMA / Spain.
http://www.magrama.gob.es
