They have exceeded half a million tons, 596,063 tons (13.9 per cent more than in the first half of 2014) worth over 1.312 million euros (up 5.7 per cent).

This is the result of the work the Spanish packing plants have done. The industry is showing record sales, which is helping recovery from the Russian ban, which has caused a fall in market price since 2013.

Although exports have increased the value of sales, it was higher in 2013 and 2014 by 13 per cent.

During this time-frame, we can see how cured ham, both from Iberian and from white pigs, has produced a total value of 183.1 million euros, 21.3 per cent more than in 2014, when exports were 19,568 tons (+7, 7 per cent).

According to the Foreign Trade Monthly Report June 2015, which prepares and publishes for the Ministry of Agriculture, the volume of exports of pork compared with June 2014 increased by 11.3 per cent , while their value is maintained.

All of this is good news, but not for producers who since summer has seen virtually no change in Market prices. As you can see in the graph comparing 2013 and 2014, with declines in the last three weeks, price around € 1.227 / kg liveweight.

The summer is almost gone without having had heavy (commercial) weights but always a high demand for market hogs. There are virtually no spots at the finishing barns.

The weights of the pigs have decreased due to high temperatures that occurred during the months of July and part of August. They are at 102.77 kilos liveweight average.

On the other hand, the industry has serious difficulties in selling pork internationally because of the pork price differential with Spain’s competitors in the global market. Taking into consideration the situation in France and its structural problems, is affecting the Spanish market given the importance of exports to this country. In recent days, Spanish pork trucks have been attacked in France by violent groups of French farmers. Domestic demand has not increased; therefore, it is not influencing the market.

As for the Portuguese market, it takes the same course as the rest of the EU. Prices have remained steady during July and August around 1.65 € / kilo carcass type "E".

Similar to the other countries they sending lighter pigs to slaughter. Domestic consumption has been steady. Pork is sold only with big sales in supermarkets, with deals below 2 € / kilo, loins, pork chops, etc.

With all this, however, during the first five months of 2015 they have increased slaughter by 4.1 per cent and increase of 6.8 per cent in carcass weight compared with the same period of 2014.