Meat and deli meats
Industry
The meat industry is the main agri-food sector in Catalonia, with turnover of €7 Bn.
It represents 31% of turnover in the agri-food sector, 40% in employment and 18% in number of companies.
This sector is increasingly focused on vertical integration as a way of ensuring traceability from farm to fork, in line with growing market demands.
Production
Every year Catalonia produces more than two million tonnes of meat of all species: pork, beef, mutton, goat, horse, poultry and rabbit.
Catalonia has consolidated its position as one of the most important production centres in Europe. In 2017 it was the second-largest producer in Europe and the tenth-largest pork producer in the world. It is also the top region of Spain for pig, cattle and poultry farming, and internationalisation is key to marketing its production.
Exporting
Catalonia is a large exporter of meat. Catalonia exports 51.53% in volume and 48.82% in value of the total meat exported by Spain and 22.56% in volume and 26.23% in value of the European Union. In processed products, the figures are as follows: Catalonia exports 50.98% in volume of Spain and 28.42% of Europe, and 51.62% in value and 34.3%, respectively.
Indeed, 56% of the meat produced in Catalonia is sold on foreign markets, which, taking into account processed meats, accounts for €3.2 Bn, a coverage rate of more than 860%. Exports of meat and meat products to third countries has increased by 114% in value over the last 5 years, hitting €981 M in 2018. Pork accounts for 72% of both volume and value of meat exports.
Furthermore, Catalonia has a long tradition of making ham and deli meats, both cured and cooked, with high quality and great variety. Catalonia exports of this products represents over 5% in volume and 10% in value of total exports.
NEWS FROM SECTOR MEAT AND DELI MEATS
04.15.20
BIO week, the week that puts the public in touch with organic foods
Bio Week for organic food is an event that promotes and raises the profile of organic production among end consumers.
04.15.20
Organic agricultural land increases 8% in Spain, now largest in Europe
The organic farming area in Spain stood at 2.24 million hectares in 2018, an 8% increase on the previous year. This was two percentage points less than the growth of the area in Catalonia in the last year.
03.23.20
The Government of Catalonia joins business associations to promote the internationalisation of Catalan companies at the 3rd Meat Business Forum
100 buyers from 28 non-EU countries will take part in rounds of negotiations with Catalan companies from the meat sector, from 9 to 10 Abril at the Espai Bital in Hospitalet de Llobregat.