Spain is intensifying negotiations with Japan to secure recognition of the regionalization principle following an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in the province of Barcelona. This would allow pork exports to continue from unaffected regions.
The issue was discussed during a bilateral meeting between Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, and Japan’s Ambassador to Spain, Hiroshi Yamauchi, focused on strengthening agri-food trade.
Japan remains one of Spain’s key partners in Asia and its second most important export market, particularly for pork. In this context, Spanish authorities stressed the need to accelerate negotiations on regionalization — an approach that limits trade restrictions only to affected areas.
Special attention is being given to value-added products, particularly cured pork products. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), such products are considered safe in terms of ASF transmission risk.
In 2025, Spain was the leading supplier of pork to Japan, with exports valued at €648 million, accounting for about 56% of the country’s total agri-food exports to the Japanese market.
Thus, achieving recognition of regionalization is critical for maintaining Spain’s position in one of its most valuable export markets and mitigating the economic impact of ASF outbreaks.
PigUA.info, based on pig333.com