Segovia suckling pig has now been included among Europe’s most prestigious gastronomic products. After lengthy procedures, it has been granted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, allowing not only the preservation of its uniqueness but also an expansion of its sales geography. Previously, this delicacy was only available in Spain, but now it can appear on store shelves and in restaurants across the entire European Union, even in frozen form.
Previously, producers relied on a special Guarantee Mark to maintain high quality standards and to prevent any decline amid growing tourist interest in Segovia. This system regulated every step: from feeding piglets exclusively with mother’s milk to strict timelines for sale and specific cooking methods. Thanks to this, Segovia suckling pig became a symbol not only of the city but also neighboring areas such as La Moraña.
With the introduction of the European PGI status, control now applies only to the raw materials, not the cooking process. Therefore, the Guarantee Mark will continue to exist alongside the new designation. The main innovation is the possibility to legally export the product in frozen form, which was previously impossible. This opens up prospects for local farmers and processors to enter new markets and increase production volumes.
Until now, production has been focused on domestic demand, but now an influx of new participants in the sector and the expansion of existing businesses is expected. Currently, the production chain involves 83 operators: farmers, slaughterhouses, wholesalers, restaurants, butcher shops, and pre-roasting facilities. Over the past twenty years, production volumes have grown significantly: in 2004, 30,000 piglets were slaughtered, while by 2016 this number had reached 206,000. In recent years, due to changes in European animal welfare regulations, production has stabilized at around 160,000–170,000 animals per year. However, only two-thirds of these meet strict quality standards, while the remaining portion is sold outside the protection system.
The new status is expected not only to boost demand, but also to attract young people to the industry and strengthen production in the region. Official IGP recognition was granted following the publication of the corresponding regulations and the approval of a governing body. Authorities in Castilla y León note that the region leads in the number of products under European protection, surpassing even many EU countries. Soon, other local delicacies—such as Torrezno de Soria and Judión de la Granja beans, which are also seeking European recognition—may join the Segovian piglet.
