Climate change in Spain is threatening a key ingredient in the diet of pigs, acorns from oak forests, which could affect the production of premium Iberico Beyota jamón in the country.
Iberico Beyota jamón is a premium Spanish jamón that can sell for more than 100 euros per kilogram. It is made from black-legged pigs that must spend their last month of life eating acorns in oak forests.
In recent years, however, due to unusually hot and dry summers, fewer acorns have grown on the oaks. This fact, as well as a drop in the market value of the product, has led to a 20% reduction in jamón production in the autonomous region of Extremadura.
The summer of 2022 was the hottest in Spain’s history and also the third driest. In 50 years, rainfall in Extremadura decreased by 35%. That said, even if next summer isn’t as hot, it won’t guarantee plenty of acorns in the future.
“I expect that this year, after last summer’s drought and winter with little rain, could be the worst in the 40 years I’ve been working here,” said Francisco Esparrago, president of jam producer Señorio de Montanera.
Jamon producers could import acorns, but Esparrago does not approve of the idea. Imported acorns could bring new diseases, he said.
