César Lumbreras: Iberian acorn-fed ham will skyrocket

The first prices of the campaign for acorn-fed Iberian pigs have risen and have reached historic levels. This should lead to increases in the cost of hams from these animals when they are marketed in approximately two years. At the Salamanca Market meeting held last Saturday, the first prices for acorn-fed animals were set (those from last year in brackets): 100% Iberian between 3.58 and 3.78 euros per kilo (3.47/3.67); 75% Iberian 3.50/3.70 (3.32/3.52); finally, for 50% Iberian, the prices for the new campaign were between 3.40/3.60 (3.07/3.27). The increase registered in this last category of animals, which has become the one with the highest demand, is particularly noteworthy. Despite this, farmers complain about the lack of profitability as a result of the rise in costs that has been experienced over the last two years. If we analyse the evolution of prices in this sector, and in that same market, since 2017, we see a continuous rise with the exception of 2020, the year of the ...