ICEX and ASICI promote Iberian ham cutting courses in 7 international markets

Key data

Spanish Iberian sector companies have a new active internationalization lever as of 22 May 2026. The agreement between ICEX Spain Exports and Investments and the Interprofessional Association of Iberian Pork (ASICI), published in the BOE on 2 June 2026, establishes a framework for collaboration to develop professional Iberian ham cutting courses aimed at restaurant professionals in the main export markets for the product.

This agreement does not start from scratch: it is the continuation of a framework agreement signed in 2023 and a specific prior agreement from 2024, consolidating a three-year internationalization strategy for the Spanish Iberian sector.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement precisely defines the responsibilities of each party and the markets where the training action will be deployed:

Priority markets

Division of responsibilities between parties

Target audience for the courses

The courses are aimed at professionals from restaurants with the Restaurants from Spain seal in the indicated markets. This seal identifies food service establishments that promote Spanish gastronomy abroad, making them the natural channel for spreading Iberian ham consumption and culture.

Use of materials

The agreement expressly regulates the shared use of photographic and press materials: ASICI acts as author and holder, while ICEX has a distribution license with no temporal or geographic limits, allowing continued international projection of the generated content.

Economic and operational impact

From an economic perspective, the agreement has a clear design: ASICI absorbs the cost of organizing and executing the courses, while ICEX provides its external network infrastructure and training materials at no additional cost to the sector. This means that Iberian sector companies that participate through ASICI benefit from an institutionally co-financed internationalization action.

The operational impact for sector companies translates into three dimensions:

• Visibility in high-value markets: The 7 selected markets (especially China, Japan and South Korea in Asia, and the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy in Europe) represent the main export destinations for Spanish Iberian ham.
• Training of influencers: Professional cutters trained in restaurants with the Restaurants from Spain seal act as product ambassadors at the point of consumption, generating direct demand.
• Strategic continuity: Being the third consecutive agreement (2023-2024-2026), companies can rely on sustained action over time, not a one-off initiative.

Who does it affect?

• Iberian ham producers and exporters associated with or linked to ASICI seeking presence in international markets.
• Spanish restaurants abroad with the Restaurants from Spain seal, especially in the 7 priority markets.
• Professional Iberian ham cutters who want to certify or train abroad through this initiative.
• Iberian meat sector companies (curers, marketers, distributors) interested in opening or consolidating channels in the United Kingdom, China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, France and Italy.
• Internationalization agencies and consultancies that advise Spanish agribusiness sector companies.

Practical example

An acorn-fed Iberian ham producing company with presence at international fairs wants to consolidate its position in the Japanese market. Thanks to this agreement, the ICEX Economic and Commercial Office in Tokyo can identify and propose candidates among restaurants with the Restaurants from Spain seal in Japan to participate in ham cutting courses organized and financed by ASICI.

The selected restaurant receives professional training in Iberian ham cutting at no direct cost to the producing company. The trained cutter becomes an active product influencer in their establishment, generating regular consumption and brand visibility among a local audience with high purchasing power. Photographic and press materials generated during the course can be distributed by ICEX through its international channels without temporal or geographic restriction, amplifying the impact of the action.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify ASICI affiliation: Confirm whether your company is associated with or can participate in the initiatives of the Interprofessional Association of Iberian Pork, which organizes and finances the courses.
2. Identify presence in the 7 priority markets: Review whether your company already operates or has interest in the United Kingdom, China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, France or Italy, which are the markets covered by this agreement.
3. Contact ICEX Economic and Commercial Offices: If you have relationships with restaurants with the Restaurants from Spain seal in those markets, communicate this to the ICEX network abroad so they can be considered as course candidates.
4. Take advantage of Foods & Wines from Spain Academy materials: ICEX makes educational materials from this platform available. Explore their use for your own training or communication actions.
5. Follow the evolution of the agreement: Being the third consecutive agreement, new editions are foreseeable. Stay informed through ASICI and ICEX to participate in future calls.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source (BOE-A-2026-11841)

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-11841