China resumes growth in Spanish pork purchases in Q1

it should be noted that there was a decline in intra-Union trade volumes: -8% in quantity (450,472 tonnes) and -7% in value (EUR 1.669 billion). Thus, EU sales will account for 51% in quantity and 56.5% in value, which is different from the 2024 trend , when they accounted for 53.2% in quantity and 63.6% in value.

Evolution by category

The behaviour varied depending on the type of MEAT and product. Pork was stable, ending the quarter with exports of 672,950 tonnes (+1%) for a stable value of €1,816.3 million. Meat sales in Spain are heavily concentrated on this product, accounting for 77% of total exports and 61.5% of total value during the period analysed.

It should also be noted that, in the case of sales intended for intra-Community trade, the EXPORT volume was the lowest in recent years, amounting to 306,084 tonnes (-10.3% compared to 2024), while the fall in value (-15.3%) was even greater, amounting to €866.4 million. Within the EU, Italy was the largest buyer of Spanish meat , with a total volume of 69,306 tonnes (-8%), followed by France with 59,344 tonnes (-6.8%).

Taking a closer look at pork and pork by-products, it is worth paying attention to the figures for exports destined for CHINA   , especially given the development of the tariff war between this Asian country and the United States since Donald Trump entered the White House.

In the first quarter of the year, Spain exported 9.8% more than in 2024, amounting to 144,672 tons for a value of €297.6 million (+18%). Particularly significant are the strong figures in March, when exports increased by 25% in quantity (49,773 tons) and by 33% in value (€102.9 million) compared to 2024.

As for countries outside the EU, the next most important pork product in terms of purchases from Spain was   Japan   with 50,718 tonnes, down 4.3% but up 14% in export value (€212 million), followed by the Philippines (46,040 tonnes) with stable purchases compared to 2024 data, and South Korea   , which imported 39% more (41,541 tonnes).

As for beef, the rise in world prices for this meat has benefited exporters. Thus, although the volume of goods shipped abroad decreased by 7.1% (60,581 tons), the value of exports increased by 14.8%, amounting to 386 million euros.

The first destination was not far away: Portugal bought almost a third of all beef exports from Spain. The first non-EU country was Algeria with 8,959 tons.

In the first quarter, there was a renewed increase in exports of lamb and goat meat: the volume of exports increased by 13.7% to 14,945 tons, and the value rose to 111.3 million euros, an increase of 35.5%.

The main destination at the start of this year is Algeria . The North African country purchased 4,718 tonnes, overtaking France as the main importer. Purchases from other traditional destinations such as Italy (1,493 tonnes), which reduced its purchases by 37.5% compared to 2024, or Portugal , which also purchased less, are already significantly lower. Other important destinations outside the EU are Israel, which exported a third of the total in 2024, and Morocco , whose purchases rose to 72.6 tonnes.

As for poultry meat exports, they increased again in the first quarter of 2025 and reached 61,989 tons, an increase of 18.3%, and their value amounted to 155 million euros (+27.2%).

The main destination for their deliveries is the European Union, where Portugal is in first place, and in markets outside the EU - Benin.

Finally, sales of dry-cured ham and shoulder stagnated: their volume grew by only 1% to 2,137 tons, while the value fell by 7.1% (20.45 million euros), continuing the trend of previous years.

Outside the EU, the main buyer is the United States   , with 63 tonnes of imports and a 54% increase in demand. In contrast, the Chinese market showed very negative results: purchases of dry-cured ham and shoulder fell from 133 tonnes in the first quarter of 2024 to 52.7 tonnes in 2025. Purchases from Mexico, the third largest destination outside the EU, were much lower, with 28.8 tonnes of imported products (-6.9%). Japan also reduced its purchases of this product.