Spain's Meat Market: Best Practices and Market Trends for Exporting Meat

13/03/2025

Worldwide, meat makes up a large part of many modern diets. However, the meat exports and imports globally are being affected by modern philosophy around nutrition and environmental issues. Spain’s meat market for example, has been impacted by shifting consumer behaviours and changes in production which mirror broader trends in dietary preferences but also an evolution of this industry.

Alongside the automotive and chemical industries, the food and meat sectors play a large part in the Spanish economy, with the meat industry ranking as the fourth largest industrial sector. To satisfy worldwide consumers, businesses exporting meat from Spain need to ensure that their cargo is transported quickly and efficiently.

Ensuring efficient meat exports and that high-quality cargo is being shipped to suit consumer preferences is key for any businesses around the world looking to stand out in the market and meet their customer’s needs.

Did you Know?

So far in 2024 the meat market in Spain has amounted to US$28.70bn.

Understandably, fresh meat exports in Spain make up a large percentage of the market, with a huge proportion of this coming from pork and poultry.

Alongside an increase in pork consumption, there has also been a rise in pork exports, with the key trade in China, Portugal, France, and Italy bringing in well over half a billion dollars in 2023. These exports are driven from regions like Aragon and Catalonia, where pig farming is prominent.

Did you know? According to Statista, in 2022 around 10.51kg of chicken was consumed per person, making it the most popular fresh meat in Spain.

Exporting Meat: Best Practices for Bringing Quality Worldwide

The success of Spain’s meat exports can be used as a case study for businesses worldwide that are looking to enhance their approach to shipping meat.

There are several best practices that can be followed to maintain successful exports and continual growth, such as:

Following Sustainable Practices

Sustainability and finding ethically sourced meat are highly important to consumers. Ensuring you have high standards for animal welfare throughout your production process and that all best practices are adhered to is critical. This helps you set yourself apart from your competitors and provides peace of mind for your customers, aiding your overall business development.

Quality Control

As a business, implementing meat quality control measures is crucial when preparing your cargo for export. In addition to conducting regular inspections, you should maintain a stringent traceability system that monitors your meat throughout its entire journey.

Not only can this help prevent issues with poor quality, but also enables you to react quickly in instances where problems do arise, protecting both public health and your business.

Cold Chain Management

To deliver high quality meat cargo, it’s important to optimize cold chain logistics. To prevent spoilage during transportation, utilizing reefer containers to control the temperature is crucial. Reefer containers also allow you to monitor your cargo throughout transportation, so you can rest assured that your meat products are arriving in optimum condition.

Transportation Modes

Particularly for meat exports which must travel significant distances, as a business you should consider working with a shipping provider who can support your cargo throughout its journey.

At MSC not only are we experienced in the handling of perishable goods, but our top quality inland transportation solutions and strong intermodal network help to streamline your overall supply chain.

Regulatory and Customs Compliance

Spain’s adherence to Europe’s strict animal welfare guidelines not only enhances the quality of their meat cargo, but also means that their products are compliant with all international regulations, including those set out by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the European Union (EU).

Alongside meeting all export regulations, as a business it’s vital that you have all the necessary qualifications such as the EU Health Certificate and then the Halal certificate where appropriate. It is important to be aware and comply with related laws and regulations in your import country as they may vary. Similarly, ensuring you have accurate documentation, including invoices, certificates of origin, health certificates, and customs declarations is hugely important when exporting meat.

Working with an experienced shipping partner for your meat exports not only means you remain up to date with any new regulations, but also helps you avoid delays in customs.

Ask MSC

Whether you need dedicated reefer cargo solutions, advice for cold chain management, or documentation support, speak to a member of our dedicated team of industry specialists. We will work with you to understand the needs of your business and deliver tailor-made solutions to meet these.