Spain is battling a widening outbreak of African swine fever, with eight new suspected cases reported, escalating concerns over potential export restrictions and economic damage to its pork industry. The latest cases, detected in the Sierra Morena region, bring the total number of suspected outbreaks to 63 since the beginning of the year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The escalating crisis threatens Spain’s status as a major pork exporter, potentially disrupting global supply chains and impacting prices. The outbreaks are concentrated in wild boar populations, but the risk of transmission to commercial farms remains a significant worry for producers and international trade partners. Spain exported over 4.1 million tonnes of pork in 2022, worth approximately €7.7 billion, making it the world’s fourth-largest exporter.The European Commission is closely monitoring the situation, and further outbreaks could trigger trade limitations from key markets like China and the United States. Authorities are implementing strict biosecurity measures, including increased surveillance, movement restrictions, and culling of infected wild boar, in an attempt to contain the spread.
