Spain Halts Pork Exports to China After First African Swine Fever Cases in 30 Years

Spain has suspended all pork exports to China after two wild boar discovered dead near Barcelona tested positive for African swine fever (ASF), marking the country’s first outbreak of the disease in three decades.

The Agriculture Ministry announced that the detection — Spain’s first since 1994 — has triggered immediate restrictions on farms within a 20km radius of the affected area. Spain is the European Union’s largest pork producer, and any confirmed ASF cases pose a significant threat to its livestock sector and international trade.

The timing of the outbreak is particularly sensitive, coming as Madrid seeks to strengthen commercial ties with Beijing and expand its share of China’s pork market. The suspension also follows China’s imposition of tariffs on EU pork imports as part of an ongoing anti-dumping investigation.

Authorities say they are working with regional officials and industry stakeholders to contain the disease and prevent further spread.