INTERPORC: The Spanish pork model is and will remain sustainable in all its dimensions
In the environmental sphere, the results achieved are compelling. Since 1990, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per pig have been reduced by 43.6% and ammonia emissions by 49%, while water consumption per kilogram of meat produced has decreased by 30%. These figures reflect the continuous improvement in production efficiency, animal welfare, genetics, feed management, and responsible resource use.
In this regard, the sector's strong commitment to circular economy projects reinforces this dedication. Today, slurry is transformed into organic fertilizers, biogas, or biomethane; bones and fats into biofuels; and other byproducts find value in industries such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Thanks to these initiatives, the sector contributes to the reduction of millions of tons of CO₂ and the conservation of water resources, establishing itself as a prime example of circularity applied to livestock farming.
Economically, there is no doubt that pork is the driving force of the Spanish livestock sector, accounting for 44.0% of total livestock production and 16.1% of total agricultural production. With over €8.78 billion in exports in 2024 and 2.7 million tons of product, Spain is the leading exporter in the European Union and the second largest in the world. This leadership not only boosts the trade balance and the competitiveness of our economy, but also makes a key contribution to public coffers, strengthening the country's industrial fabric and ensuring that the sector's value benefits all of society.
Finally, the pork industry is a pillar of Spanish society, as 415,000 people work in the pork industry, representing 2.3% of national employment. Of particular note is that 42% of these jobs are held by women, reflecting the essential role they play in the modernization and professionalization of the sector.
All this data undoubtedly demonstrates that the strategic sustainability objectives have been met and that the Spanish pork sector is now a model in all three dimensions. In other words, the collective effort has already borne fruit.
And precisely because of the great effort it has taken to get here, the industry must not forget that maintaining this leadership is everyone's responsibility. Sustainability is not a destination achieved, but a path that requires continuity, innovation, and shared objectives. Producers are all united by this commitment, because only by working together, across the entire value chain, can we continue to guarantee that Spanish pork produces much more than food that reaches the entire world: it produces economic future, it produces a future for thousands of families, and it produces a future for our planet.
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