E-commerce: How an Iberian ham producer copes

Joselito, a Spanish ham producer, survived through animal-related influenzas like SARS and H1N1, but nothing prepared it for the current lockdown.

The near-total paralysis of its European exports, a nationwide shutdown of its main client base -- Spain's restaurants, bars and hotels -- have been devastating.

The sixth generation owner of Joselito, Jose Gomez, had to come up with new ways to cope.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JOSE GOMEZ, SIXTH GENERATION OWNER OF "JOSELITO" HAM PRODUCERS, SAYING:

"Most of our customers are restaurants, hotels, so now demand from there has totally stopped because they are closed. On the other hand, e-commerce is increasing a lot, we are reaching the customer directly through the online sells."

Since Spain went into lockdown on March 14, Joselito's online orders for its iconic Iberian ham have jumped 300%.

In Madrid, it has gone into partnership with home delivery app Glovo.

With e-commerce keeping the company afloat, Gomez has managed to avoid firing any staff.

Even before the lockdown, staff in the processing plant wore gloves and masks, and disinfected themselves before handling ham.

Now, they are divided into teams with rotating shifts, also wear single-use decontamination suits and get their temperatures checked.

With the global food and restaurant sector in disarray and the future uncertain, Gomez is concerned about how social distancing will impact people's mindsets in the long run; And how that could change the industry from here on.