Spain’s Pork Industry Struggles Against Swine Fever Crisis

Jordi Saltiveri looks over his sprawling farm, home to 8,000 pigs, and recalls the moment the news of African Swine Fever (ASF) surfaced in Spain late last year. “I felt sad, angry, impotent,” he admits. “Once a country is confirmed with ASF, other nations halt pork imports.” The farm, passed down through generations, sits in a remote corner of Lleida, Catalonia. A weathered Catalan independence flag flutters at its gate, while the distant sounds of pig calls echo from the barns. Though the ASF outbreak remains localized, it has already disrupted Saltiveri’s operations. “Each pig we sell for slaughter has lost between €30 and €40 in value,” he explains. “The losses are significant.”

The virus’s epicenter lies in Collserola Park, a nature reserve bordering Barcelona, just a few hours away from Saltiveri’s land. A dead wild boar, infected with ASF, was found there in late November, prompting immediate closures. Officials sealed the park, restricting access and conducting searches for more carcasses. The source of the outbreak remains elusive, with initial tests ruling out a leak from a nearby research facility. Yet, the dense population of wild boars—some known to stray into Barcelona—has been flagged as a critical factor in the spread.

Catalonia’s agriculture minister, Òscar Ordeig, highlights the role of overpopulated wildlife. “Excess tolerance for wild animals has led to a surge in rabbits, deer, and boars,” he tells the BBC. “These creatures now pose a major risk, increasing traffic collisions and disease transmission.” He estimates that the region hosts 120,000 to 180,000 boars, with culling efforts targeting a 6km radius around the first cases. A broader 20km area is also under monitoring. Traps, drones, and silent firearms are used to capture boars, which are then tested for ASF. By March, 232 infected specimens had been identified.

To curb the spread, authorities have erected barriers to limit boar movement. Rural police disinfect their gear after patrolling high-risk zones. Ordeig emphasizes Spain’s long-standing biosecurity measures, stating, “We must deploy all available resources to protect our industry, economy, and farmers.” The stakes are high, as the pork sector—Spain’s largest in Europe, valued at €25bn—faces a severe setback. Export bans by Brazil, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, and the U.S. have already caused a €600m loss since the crisis began. Meanwhile, other regions like the EU, China, and the UK restrict imports only to affected areas.

The drop in international demand has not only reduced exports but also pressured prices. In January, Catalonia’s pork exports fell by 17% year-on-year. For farmers like Saltiveri, the financial strain is undeniable. “The entire industry is under threat,” he says. With ASF still active, Spain awaits the day it can declare itself free of the disease, a prerequisite for restoring export status.

“We have to use all the resources available to defend our industry, our economy, our farming sector and farmers,” says Òscar Ordeig.

As the culling continues, the hope is that these measures will curb the outbreak and safeguard the future of Spain’s pork production.