Spain: Increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact are key success factors for the pig sector
An event in which the Interprofessional also announced the upcoming premiere of the documentary film 'El año del relevo' (The Year of the Relay), which portrays the stories of young people who have decided to invest in the pig sector as their professional future.
The round table, in which several experts from the sector discussed the challenges and opportunities that the pig sector will face in the next five years, was moderated by Alberto Herranz, general director of INTERPORC, who also presented the main figures of the sector.
From January to July, pork production increased by 0.65% compared to the same period of the previous year, while meat exports reached 1,590.2 thousand tons, with a value of 5,078 million euros. In addition, as a very notable fact, domestic consumption (households, hospitality and other sectors) grew by 3.25% in this same period, which together with the 1.5% increase throughout 2023 seems to consolidate a change in trend.
Despite these data, Herranz sent a clear message that"we must not let our guard down and continue to be proactive in order to remain the world leader in pork production".
Sustainability and efficiency: pillars of growth
The round table began with a presentation by Miguel Sabater, senior manager at Monitor Deloitte, who explained that “the sector must respond with innovation and technology to challenges such as the increase in costs and demands on animal welfare and sustainability; generational change; circularity and the valorisation of by-products, among others. All of these are reflected in the strategic plan for the sector prepared by his company, which sets out seven strategic objectives and eight lines of work.”
Miguel Ángel Higuera, director of Anprogapor, said that the Spanish pig sector is highly competitive, although he warned about the loss of competitiveness in terms of costs, not quality.
Along these lines, Tomás Fillola, former general manager and head of purchasing at the Caspe Livestock Cooperative, emphasised the importance of orienting the sector's strategy towards efficiency and transferring these advances to the brand and the added value of the product.
For his part, Manuel Ramos, general manager of Piensos Costa, insisted that the modernisation of the sector must be continuous, avoiding complacency after having achieved world leadership.
Finally, Manuel Esteve, president of the white pig sector of Cooperativas Agroalimentarias de España, stressed the importance of supporting farmers to adapt to new demands.
The round table concluded with a message of unity and optimism, as all participants agreed that, despite the challenges, the Spanish pork sector has the necessary tools to continue leading the world. Innovation, sustainability and a commitment to quality will be key to ensuring a prosperous future for the sector.
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