Podcast Summary: La economía de Hoy por Hoy | Tranquilidad entre las empresas que exportan carne de cerdo pese al brote de peste porcina africana

Podcast: Hoy por Hoy
Host: SER Podcast (Àngels Barceló)
Date: December 4, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose

The episode explores the state of the Spanish pork industry amid the resurgence of African swine fever. It specifically analyzes how pork exporters are responding, the economic implications, and the reasons behind the ongoing stability and confidence among exporters, despite border closures by some countries. Insights from Santiago Martín, director of Embutidos Fermín, provide a ground-level view of the international pork trade’s resilience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Market Reactions to African Swine Fever Outbreak

• Despite recent cases of African swine fever detected in wild boars (jabalíes silvestres), the Spanish pork sector remains largely calm, especially in export-dependent businesses.
• Clients abroad are aware of the outbreak but continue purchasing Spanish pork, reflecting confidence in the safety assurances provided by Spanish exporters and authorities.

Communications and Buyer Trust

• Maintaining clear, transparent communication with international clients is highlighted as key to ongoing business.

• Santiago Martín notes that U.S. distributors, for example, have received company communications and remain unconcerned.

  “Lo que nos están comentando nuestros comerciales y nuestros distribuidores, por ejemplo en Estados Unidos, es que hasta este momento agradecen el comunicado que les hemos enviado informando, pero nos confirman que hasta este momento tampoco han tenido preguntas o situaciones de inquietud por parte de los clientes.”
     — Santiago Martín [01:05]

Trade Flows and Market Diversification

• Spain exports over 70% of its pork products.

• While outbreaks caused delays in two outgoing shipments, the U.S.-bound container departed as scheduled.

• Some countries (e.g., Japan) have fully closed their borders to Spanish pork, but many major markets, such as the European Union, China (with regional restrictions), and the U.S., remain open or impose only local restrictions.

• Exporters’ ability to send products to multiple countries buffers them against losses from individual market closures.

  “Países y no todos los países están actuando de la misma manera. En ese sentido tenemos la suerte de que los países a los que más exportamos es Estados Unidos, China y Singapur y son precisamente tres países que en este momento permanecen abiertos.”
     — Santiago Martín [03:02]

Uncertainty and Vigilance

• There remains a sense of uncertainty among producers regarding potential changes in international regulations in the coming weeks.

• Exporters have increased communication with clients to maintain trust and stability in business relationships.

• Ongoing vigilance is necessary as the situation develops.

  “Sí que percibimos en el sector cierta incertidumbre para ver lo que pasará en las próximas semanas y de hecho están reforzando el contacto y las comunicaciones con sus clientes para tenerlos informados y que por tanto puedan seguir comprando y mantengan la confianza en sus envíos.”
     — Ángeles Barceló [03:19]

No Infections in Livestock Farms

• Crucially, no African swine fever cases have been detected in any commercial pig farms, including the 39 farms near the area where infected wild boars were found.

• Continuous monitoring and testing by the Ministry of Agriculture have reassured buyers about the safety of Spanish pork.

  “No se ha detectado ningún caso en ninguna de las explotaciones ganaderas... los análisis que ha hecho el Ministerio de Agricultura no han detectado presencia de peste porcina africana en los cerdos de estas explotaciones.”
     — Ángeles Barceló [03:43]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On client reassurance:
  Santiago Martín [01:05]:
  “Agradecen el comunicado que les hemos enviado informando, pero nos confirman que hasta este momento tampoco han tenido preguntas o situaciones de inquietud por parte de los clientes.”
• On market diversification as a strength:
  Santiago Martín [03:02]:
  “Exportamos a muchos países y no todos los países están actuando de la misma manera.”
• On the unaffected status of livestock:
  Ángels Barceló [03:43]:
  “No se ha detectado ningún caso en ninguna de las explotaciones ganaderas… son jabalíes silvestres.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:00–00:30] — Introduction, framing of the economic discussion, and context on the pork sector's export reliance.
• [00:30–01:23] — Current international reactions; input from Santiago Martín (Embutidos Fermín).
• [01:23–01:59] — Impact of different countries' responses; practical examples of containers and shipments.
• [01:59–03:02] — Specifics on market closures and alternatives, including details on China, the EU, U.S., Japan, and others.
• [03:02–03:35] — Importance of market diversification; maintaining buyer confidence; outlook for the following weeks.
• [03:35–04:08] — Update on investigations into livestock health; differentiation between wild boar cases and farmed pigs.

Concluding Note

The episode provides reassurance about the continued stability of Spain’s pork exports amidst the challenges of an animal health crisis, underlining strong communication, market diversification, and epidemiological vigilance as keys to the sector’s resilience.