African Swine Fever (ASF)

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ixYrBvzMso

Spain’s pork industry, one of the most important parts of the country’s agriculture, is facing serious problems after African Swine Fever (ASF) was recently detected in wild boars near Barcelona. The disease has not reached commercial farms, but the discovery led to strict safety rules, limits on animal movement, and emergency checks. Several international partners—most notably the United Kingdom and China, two major buyers of Spanish pork—temporarily suspended imports as a precaution.  These changes have created worries about major economic losses, especially in Catalonia, where pork farming is a key part of the rural economy.

Spain’s pork production has a long history dating back to Roman times, when pig farming spread across the Iberian Peninsula. Over many centuries, Spanish farmers developed special methods for curing and preparing pork, turning it into both a cultural tradition and an important economic product. Pork became popular because it adapts well to Spain’s different climates, appears in many traditional dishes, and was easy to preserve before modern refrigeration. In rural areas, pigs provided a reliable source of food and income and helped shape local culture. Today, pork remains one of Spain’s top exports and an important part of its national cuisine.

Spain is famous around the world for its high-quality pork products, many of which have protected designations. Jamón serrano, a dry-cured ham with a delicate flavor, is one of the best known. Jamón ibérico, made from Iberian pigs, is valued for its rich, nutty taste. Chorizo, a sausage seasoned with paprika, is popular globally because it can be used in many dishes. Fuet, a Catalan sausage with a mild, slightly sweet flavor, is another regional specialty. Other products include morcilla (blood sausage), lomo embuchado (cured pork loin), and salchichón (a seasoned cured sausage). These products support Spain’s strong reputation for food exports and show how important pork is to both culture and the economy.

The outbreak also shows that Spain depends on many industries outside agriculture. While pork, olive oil, citrus fruits, and wine are major exports, Spain also relies on automotive manufacturing, renewable energy technology, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and advanced ceramics. SEAT has important factories in Martorell and Barcelona, and Ford has a major plant in Almussafes, Valencia, producing key models for Europe.

In Barcelona and the wider Catalonia region, technology companies, tourism, shipping, and logistics related to the Port of Barcelona play major roles in creating jobs and attracting foreign investment. These industries help diversify Spain’s economy and offer stability during agricultural or energy-related crises.

Spain also depends on imports to keep the economy balanced. It imports natural gas, crude oil, machinery, medical devices, and electronic components to support its factories and healthcare systems.

When a single sector faces a shock—such as ASF in the pork industry—the impact can create ripple effects across transportation networks, retail supply chains, and international trade relationships. This incident reinforces the need for a resilient and diversified structure, especially in major metropolitan areas like Barcelona.

Up and coming industries are also growing quickly in Spain. The country is becoming a European center for film production and digital media, supported by foreign streaming companies investing in studios in Madrid and Barcelona. Spain is also developing green hydrogen, electric-vehicle batteries, and artificial-intelligence startups. These new industries attract global investors, create skilled jobs, and reduce Spain’s dependence on older sectors like tourism and traditional manufacturing. As the economy changes, these innovative fields may become as important as agriculture and the automotive sector.

In the past, Spain depended on industries that are now much smaller or nearly gone. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, coal mining, shipbuilding, steel production, and large textile factories were major parts of the economy, especially in the Basque Country, Asturias, and Catalonia. But many of these industries could not compete with cheaper global products, new technology, and environmental rules. Coal mines closed, shipyards became smaller, and textile factories moved abroad. Although these industries helped shape Spain’s industrial history, they now play only a small role and have been replaced by more modern sectors.

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1.Vocabulary.

1. Restrictions – a sudden start of something harmful, like a disease

2. Precaution – discovered or found

3. Outbreak– rules or limits that control actions or movements

4. Detected –  measures taken to prevent harm or danger

5. Innovative – related to the countryside

6. Designation – preserving meat through drying or salting

7. Rural – something unique to a certain area

8. Cured – an official name or status

9. Ripple Effects – medicines and medical drugs

10. Resilient– the planning of transport and supplies

11.  Pharmaceuticals  –  when one event produces effects that spread and produce more effects. 

12. Up and Coming– strong and able to recover quickly

13. Specialty – new, original, and creative

14. Logistics – emerging, growing, or showing potential for success

 3. Synonym Match

• essential — crucial

• detected — highlighted

• emphasized — organized

• vulnerable  — exposed

• containment —promising

• rural — controlled

• suspended — countryside

• coordinated — identified

• up and coming — halted

4A. Fill-in-the-Blanks 

Word Bank:

diversified, emerging, ripple effects, suspended, manufacturing,vulnerable, decline

1. Many international buyers temporarily ______ pork shipments from Spain after the ASF outbreak.

2. Spain has a highly ______ economy that includes agriculture, tourism, and technology.

3. The shock to the pork sector created ______ across transport and retail industries.

4. Some traditional industries have experienced a long-term ______ due to global competition.

5. New ______ industries like green hydrogen and AI are attracting global investors.

6. Without strong prevention systems, farms are ______ to disease outbreaks.

7. Automotive ______ remains a key contributor to Spain’s industrial output.

4B. Fill-in-the-Blanks 

1. This story has been receiving a lot of coverage in the news, on TV, online and on the radio. It has been making the   ______  .

2. If you think that the combination of Fuet and Manchengo cheese go very well together, you can also say that Fuet and Manchengo cheese go  ______ ______ ______ .

3.  40 % of the world´s olive oil consumption comes from Spain . This means that Spain ______ the olive oil market.

4. Italy is number 2 after Spain. Another way to say number 2  is the  ______ ______ .

5. If you are the type of person that likes to eat sweet things, we say that you havea a sweet ______.

6. If you prefer to eat things like peanuts , chorizo and fuet instead of Turrón  and Crema Catalana, then we can say that you have a ______ ______ .

7. If you love to eat chocolates and are addicted to them, then you are a  ______ .

8. If it is very difficult for you to stop eating Turrón once you begin, then for you Turrón is very  ______ .

9. The first time that I ate Morcilla I didn´t like it. It was not my   ______ ______ ______ .

10. But Miguel, my friend from Murcia insited that I try it again, and now i really like it. I can say that Morcilla  ______ ______ ______ .

11. When eating Tortilla Española some people prefer that it is not fully cooked. They like that it tastes as if it´s ______ .(crudo)

12. Coal mining was a very important industry, especially in the north of Spain. This industry peaked in the 1970´s. That decade was the coal mining industry´s ______ .

13. The construction industry reached its peak in Spain between 2000-2007, before it crashed, contributing to the huge economic crisis. That decade is called the  ______ .

14. If the construction industry returns to the same amount of business that it had in the past, then it made a ______ .

15. What are some words that we can use for something that generates or brings or makes a lot of money ?

5. Discussion Questions

1. Why is the ASF outbreak a threat to both agriculture and international trade?

2. How might disruptions in pork exports affect other parts of Spain’s economy?

3. Which industries in Spain seem the most resilient today? Why?

4. Why are emerging sectors like biotechnology or green hydrogen important for Spain’s future?

5. What factors caused historical industries—like coal mining or shipbuilding—to decline?

6. Which Spanish regions would suffer most from agricultural disruptions?

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6.Gastronomy Competition: 

Scenario: You are food critics attending the “World Spanish Gastronomy Awards.” Your task is to debate and choose the single best Spanish dish from the list. Each student must defend one dish using its unique qualities, flavors, cultural significance and impact. In the end , the students and teacher will decide on the winner. 

Jamón Ibérico 

Paella  

Tortilla Española  

Gazpacho  

Pulpo a la Gallega 

Pimientos de Padrón  

Croquetas 

Turrón 

Fabada Asturiana 

Calçotada

Crema Catalana

Pa amd Tomaquet

Fuet

(or a dish not on the list)

7. Investing in Spain’s Top Industries

Objective:

Students will assume the role of international investors and choose one of Spain’s top industries to invest in. They will analyze the opportunities, risks, and potential returns of their chosen sector and present their investment decision.

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Top 10 Industries in Spain

1. Pork and Meat Production – High-quality pork products like jamón ibérico are globally exported.

2. Olive Oil Production – Spain is the world’s largest producer of olive oil.

3. Wine Production – Famous wine regions like Rioja and Ribera del Duero.

4. Automotive Manufacturing – Major plants from SEAT, Ford, and others.

5. Renewable Energy – Solar, wind, and emerging green hydrogen technologies.

6. Tourism – Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world.

7. Technology & Digital Media – AI startups, audiovisual production, and streaming studios.

8. Pharmaceuticals & Medical Equipment – Growing sector with global exports.

9. Textiles & Fashion – Iconic brands and historical textile manufacturing.

10. Advanced Ceramics & Industrial Manufacturing – High-tech materials and industrial goods.

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Instructions for Students

 Choose an Industry:

1. Pick one of Spain’s top 10 industries from the list above to “invest” in.

2. Prepare Your Investment Pitch:

   • Introduce your industry and explain why you chose it.

   • Highlight the benefits of investing in this industry.

   • Explain potential risks and how you would mitigate them.

3. Presentation:

   • Present your pitch to the class as if they are your investors.

   • Be prepared to answer questions from other “investors” (classmates).

   • Your classmates may challenge your choice and ask for more justification.

8. Yes And No: The Yes Group VS The No Group. Defend your position: 

1. “Should Spain reduce its dependence on pork exports?”

One partner argues yes—ASF shows the risks, the other argues no—pork is too valuable culturally and economically.

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 2. “Now is the perfect time for  Spain to promote plant-based alternatives during the ASF crisis,  such as  Soyrizo, Vegan Fuet, Calabizo and other products .”

Diversification vs. protecting farmers.

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3. “Is the media exaggerating the ASF outbreak and causing unnecessary panic?”

Public awareness vs. sensationalism.

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4 “Should Spain decentralize more economic activity away from Barcelona and Madrid?”

Regional balance vs. efficiency.

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9. Time Traveler: The Spanish Economy Time Machine

Roles:

• Coal Miner from 1920

• Textile Factory Owner from 1950

• Ship builder from 1960

• Automotive Engineer from 1980

• Construction Worker from the Aughts 

Task:
Each “time traveler” explains:

• What their industry contributed to Spain and why it was successful .

• The person from 2025 must explain to the time traveller what happened to their industry .