"Trusted Spanish Pork Shaken"…Alarm Over First 100% Fatality Outbreak in 30 Years

ASF Outbreak in Spain After 30 Years
Government Implements Partial Import Suspension
Rising Concerns Over Domestic Price Increases

African Swine Fever (ASF) has been detected in Spain, the world's second-largest exporter of pork to Korea after the United States, marking the first outbreak in 30 years. With the risk of introducing this highly dangerous disease-known for its 100% fatality rate-significantly increasing, the Korean government has immediately begun imposing partial import restrictions on Spanish pork. Industry insiders are voicing concerns that a decrease in Spanish pork imports could impact domestic wholesale and retail prices in the future.

This image is for illustrative purposes only and is not directly related to the content. Clipart Korea

100% Fatality 'Pig Black Death' with No Vaccine or Cure... Re-emerges in Spain After 30 Years

According to international media outlets such as Business Times on December 4, the Spanish government recently announced that ASF was detected in the carcasses of wild boars in the Barcelona region. As of this date, at least nine confirmed cases have been reported, marking the first outbreak of ASF in Spain since 1994-approximately 30 years ago.

ASF is a viral infectious disease that affects only pigs and certain animals, not humans or other species. With no available vaccine or treatment, infection results in a 100% fatality rate. The disease spreads through secretions such as tears or saliva from infected pigs, or via direct respiratory transmission. Soft ticks that feed on pig blood can also serve as vectors, and healthy pigs are at risk if they consume infected pork or pork products as feed.

Countries Worldwide Impose Swift Restrictions on Spanish Pork Imports

As signs of ASF spread have emerged, countries around the world have responded immediately. China has restricted imports of pork raised or slaughtered in the Barcelona region, while Japan and Mexico have imposed a complete ban on imports from all of Spain. According to the Spanish government, one-third of all export certificates have now been blocked by foreign governments.

Although numerous studies have confirmed that ASF-infected pork does not transmit the disease to humans, consumer anxiety remains difficult to avoid due to the nature of the epidemic. Experts warn that if the disease spreads internationally, mass culling will be unavoidable, further exacerbating supply shortages. Foreign media outlets have reported that "Spain's pork industry, worth 9 billion euros (approximately 15 trillion won) annually, could be in crisis."

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Korea Also Partially Halts Imports... Concerns Over Price Instability if Prolonged

The Korean government has also implemented import restrictions this month on specific regions in Spain where ASF has been confirmed. Depending on the speed of transmission and the emergence of additional cases, these restricted areas may be further expanded.

If ASF persists over the long term, it will likely be difficult for the domestic market to avoid its impact. This year, Korea imported 114,680 tons of pork from Spain, making it the second-largest source after the United States (185,597 tons). The recent increase in demand for imported meats such as Iberico pork is also expected to be a variable affecting the market.