Spain’s agrifood sector entered 2025 with strong optimism. Economic forecasts indicated that the industry was on track to repeat the record agri-food trade surplus achieved the previous year. The mood of confidence could be compared to the traditional lighting of Madrid’s Christmas decorations, brightening the country’s winter months.
However, only days after the festive “Naviluz” lights were switched on, that optimism was abruptly shaken by the announcement of an African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak among wild boars in Catalonia on 27 November 2025.
Beeld: © Fahroni / Fahroni
Outbreak in Catalonia: Thirteen Cases and a Sealed Zone
A week after the first two infected wild boars were officially confirmed and reported to the European Commission, the total number of affected animals rose to 13. All cases were detected within a tightly controlled 20-kilometre radius around Bellaterra, near Barcelona, where the first carcasses were found. The region of Catalonia is known for its pig density and number of professional farms. However, data shows that the outbreak could have had much greater consequences if it had occurred elsewhere in the region.
For Spain, the stakes are high: the national pork sector is worth an estimated €8.8 billion. So far, the virus has not been detected on any pig farms, but authorities remain on high alert. To accelerate the search and testing of wild boars, both the Catalan government and Spain’s national authorities have deployed a specialised military unit. According to Catalan News, around 50 wild boar carcasses have already been recovered and examined inside the quarantine zone. The Spanish ministry agriculture is currently still investigating various hypotheses about the origin of the outbreak.
Strict Measures for Farms, Regional Support and export restrictions
In response, regional authorities have ordered reinforced biosecurity protocols on all farms in Catalonia. The measures include stricter cleaning and disinfection procedures, mandatory vehicle sanitation, and tighter controls on the movement of animals and materials.
Within the restricted zone, the movement of live pigs in or out of farms is largely prohibited, except for animals being transported directly to slaughterhouses. To support affected producers, the Catalan government has made a €50 million emergency credit line available.
The reappearance of ASF has significant international consequences. Spain has lost its ASF-free status, prompting more than 40 non-EU countries — including high-value markets such as Japan, Mexico, South Korea and Taiwan — to suspend imports of Spanish pork. Combined, these markets represent about 12% of the sector’s total export value.
Sector Remains Resilient Despite the Blow
Despite the setback, industry experts do not consider the outbreak a fatal threat to Spain’s pork sector. According to Plataforma Tierra of Grupo Fundacion Cajamar, the industry benefits from a highly diversified export portfolio, strong demand within the EU and access to key non-EU markets, including China. This diversification has long been one of the sector’s main strengths, helping it to absorb shocks when individual markets close.
If the ASF cases remain contained and authorities succeed in applying regionalization — a system in which only affected areas face restrictions while the rest of the country maintains ASF-free trade status — many export markets are expected to reopen. Such a measure would significantly reduce the economic impact on the industry.
Sources: Datadista.com/www.catalannews.com/elpais.com/Plataforma Tierra/