Spread dynamics in North Rhine-Westphalia
In September, 44 dead wild boar were recorded, consistent with previous months (54 in August and 53 in July). The situation in NRW is being watched particularly closely, as it is Germany’s most populous federal state and borders two major pig-producing countries — the Netherlands and Belgium.
Hesse: a prolonged crisis for farmers
South of NRW, in the state of Hesse, the impact of ASF has been far more severe for local pig farmers. Since mid-2024, 2,247 infected wild boar have been confirmed, including 1,110 in the Bergstrasse district alone, where the restricted zone had to be expanded just last week.
Due to the near impossibility of marketing pigs within restricted areas, many farmers have been forced to empty their barns. While some slaughterhouses in Hesse and Schleswig-Holstein accept pigs from these zones, the prices paid are so low that most farms operate at a loss. According to Top Agrar, some producers are already considering repurposing their pig facilities for poultry farming.
Biosecurity concerns
Experts stress the urgent need to strengthen biosecurity. Angelika Paul of the Hesse Pig Health Service emphasized that achieving “compliant status” must be prioritized. Without it, in the event of ASF outbreaks, there are no exemptions for moving pigs out of restricted zones, and animal disease insurance payouts are reduced.
Outlook
The current situation highlights two contrasting scenarios: in NRW, the virus has so far been successfully contained, while in Hesse, the crisis has forced many farmers to abandon pig production altogether. For Germany — still one of Europe’s leading pork producers — the ongoing developments will have a significant impact on both the domestic market and international trade.
PigUA.info based on materials from pigprogress.net