ANICE: The pig sector once again leads Spain’s foreign trade
We know that Spain occupies the third spot among the top pork producers worldwide, having produced 4.06 million tons in 2016. How were the results in 2017 and what do you expect for this year?
2017 results have continued to be positive, with a total pigmeat production of 4,249,161 tons.
Our foreign trade has been particularly good, with a turnover that exceded for the first time 6,000 million euros.
In addition, sales in value have increased with regard to sales in volume, which is a positive trend because the added value of exported products is increasing.
During 2017, the growing trend of Spanish meat exports continued in all sectors and in practically all destinations, confirming the internationalization spirit of the Spanish meat sector and its strong export vocation.
Once again, foreign trade is led by the pig sector with 1,898,416 tons exported, 25% more compared to 2016, despite the well-known 24.3% drop in exports to China, but as always, we have compensated it with the access to other markets such as Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Philippines and Japan, which have increased their imports by up to 83%.
A similar development has occurred in the beef and veal sector, with a record 193,189 tons exported, up by 2%.
Sheep and goats, although far away from the previous sectors, are also following the process of internationalization, with very significant growth in third countries, especially an increase of 300% in Hong Kong and 150% in Kuwait.
Across the European Union, pig prices have seen a decline at the beginning of this year. How does this impact the Spanish producers?
Last year 2017 was a year of strong profits for Spanish farmers and, in the last four months of the year, prices fell sharply, but have not had a major impact on Spanish pig farmers.
In addition, prices have recovered during the first quarter of 2018, very close to last year's record levels.
The beef and veal and sheep sectors have been on a recovery trend since 2013. What can you tell us about last year's results? Are you expecting a positive evolution for 2018?
It is true that the beef and sheep sectors have been recovering in recent years, and last year has been a good year for farmers because of the balance between supply and demand.
In any case, in these two sectors, foreign trade will be decisive for their future development.
The consumption of beef and sheep meat is stable or even declining in Spain, so the business should come from exports.
The Spanish beef and sheep sector is strongly committed to the opening of new export markets, especially in Southeast Asia, which has been so positive for the pig sector, and in the Middle East also.
Spain ranks fourth in the European Union in meat production. Do you expect the country to surpass its competitors in the following years?
It is not foreseeable that meat production in Spain will continue to grow much more than in recent years. Environmental requirements and public opinion do not promote further expansion of pig production.
This does not mean that we do not have the capacity to grow in specific markets and segments, such as meat products.
What can you tell us about Spain's meat trading activity in 2017? Any forecasts for 2018, any new markets at the horizon for the Spanish meat?
In 2017, as I said before, Spain has achieved a new record by maintaining and diversifying our exports to third countries. So, despite the fall in our shipments to China of a 20% less, the overall volume of pork exported has increased by 4 ,4%, and a 12.5% in value. Likewise, highly positive figures were recorded for manufactured products, 197,818 tons (+8.3%) and 1,267 million euros (+10.1%).
Our goal is to maintain this trend in 2018. Some factors, such as the foreseeable trade war between the US and China, could benefit European exporters.
As for beef and sheep meat, we want to consolidate our exports to the Middle East, where our main markets are currently located, and open the Southeast Asia countries (China, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, etc.).
What consumer trends are now influencing the meat industry in Spain?
Spanish consumers, like European consumers, demand a socially committed industry that responds to their concerns about health, sustainability, and animal welfare.
Those are the trends that will mark our future development.
In this regard, we must highlight the recent compromise reached with the Spanish health authorities to improve the nutritional composition of our products, which will allow a reduction of 16% in salt content and 5% in fat content by 2020.
Spain's meat exports towards the EU grew last year. Which were the countries that imported the most?
The main countries destination of our shipments within the European Union have been the following in 2017:
In pig meat, offal and fat: France (276,367 tons, +2.9%), Italy (164,013 tons, +4.6%), Portugal (109.812 mt, +6.7%), Czech Republic (75,567 mt, +64.5%), Poland (73,761 mt, -2.7%) and Bulgaria (71,626 mt, +83%).
For beef, the main EU markets were Portugal (70,094 tn, +6.7%), France (24,890 tn, -6.5%), Italy (21,380 tn, -5.5%) and the Netherlands (19,957 tn, -2.8%).
For meat products as a whole, and in value terms, the main markets were France (€245.7 M, +10.4%), Germany (€132 M, +6.7%), United Kingdom (€110 M, +5%), Portugal (€ 82.2 M, +2.8%), Netherlands (€64.6 M, +61.5%), Italy (€61.4 M, +29.2%) and Belgium (€61.4 M, +29.2%).
How much meat does Spain import from other countries?
As Spain is a large producer of meat (4th in the worldwide), imports from other countries are very limited.
Only is necessary to point out the high-quality beef from Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, which have a very good reputation in the Spanish market, is worth mentioning.
Did ANICE's promotion strategy for the Spanish meat industry pay off last year? What are your plans for 2018?
At the light of the results mentioned, we can say that the strategy to promote the Spanish meat industry is producing results.
However, there are always goals to be achieved, which means that we are not fully satisfied, and we continue working hard to improve our exports.
Opening markets for beef and sheep meat and increasing the added value of our exports are two lines of work that will govern our activities in 2018.
What can you tell us about Alimentaria? How much does this trade show help the Spanish meat industry?
Alimentaria, like other international trade fairs, is important for the meat industry because it allows us to show the capacity, variety, and quality of our offer. In this regard, it should be pointed out the interest that MEAT ATTRACTION has for us, as a monographic and specialized trade fair in the meat industry, which this year celebrates its second edition, from the 18th to 20th September, after the success of the first one. It will be a major trade event for the European meat industry.
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