The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, closed the XIII World Ham Congress in Granada, an event that has established itself as a reference forum for the sector. During his speech, Planas highlighted that the agreement with Mercosur protects the denominations of origin of iconic products such as Guijuelo, Jabugo, and Jamón de Teruel.
According to the minister, this protection granted by the agreement with Mercosur strengthens the international positioning of Spanish ham. “It is an opportunity that we must seize to expand our presence in foreign markets,” the minister stated, emphasizing that countries like Brazil are opening up to cured products from Spain.
The pork sector is a strategic pillar of the Spanish agri-food economy, where cured ham plays a fundamental role. In 2025, production reached 317,000 tons, consolidating Spain as one of the main global references. Each year, around 47 million pieces are produced, of which approximately 17 million are Iberian hams and shoulders. Furthermore, Planas highlighted the relevance of differentiated quality figures, which are essential for the identity of the sector in international markets.
To maintain this export dynamism, the minister emphasized the importance of preserving a solid health status, especially in light of recent outbreaks of African swine fever. He assured that the country maintains a high level of animal health and that measures are being implemented to control and eradicate outbreaks. Additionally, the Government of Spain is supporting the sector with investments in innovation and sustainability, promoting the image of Spain as an agri-food power through various external promotion actions.