An outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) has been confirmed in the Spaske Starostyn District of the Krolevets community in Ukraine’s Sumy region. To contain the disease, the State Emergency Anti-Epizootic Commission has imposed quarantine restrictions and approved a comprehensive package of disease control measures.

Fewer cases of African swine fever (ASF) were reported across Europe in the first half of 2026 than during the same period last year. However, the disease continues to circulate extensively in wild boar populations, while outbreaks in domestic pigs are increasing rapidly in several countries in Southeastern Europe.

The South African government has agreed to allow the private sector to import, distribute, and administer foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines. The decision follows a lawsuit filed by agricultural organisations that accused the authorities of responding too slowly and ineffectively to one of the country's largest FMD outbreaks in recent years.

Despite the growing risks posed by transboundary animal diseases and the threat of future pandemics, global investment in animal health systems remains critically low. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) warns that insufficient funding for veterinary services increases risks to food security, economies, and public health.

Serbia continues its fight against African swine fever (ASF). Authorities have begun culling more than 11,000 pigs at a commercial farm in the western part of the country after the disease was confirmed. The government has pledged to compensate the farm owners, while the country's ASF situation remains challenging.

New trade agreements are opening additional opportunities for British meat exporters in North and South American markets. Rather than competing on export volumes, the UK is focusing on premium products, high quality, traceability, and compliance with international standards, creating new prospects for British pork exports.

The structure of the US pork industry has undergone profound changes over the past four decades. While the number of hog farms has fallen by more than 80%, the national pig inventory has continued to grow. Production has become increasingly concentrated on larger, specialised operations, and contract production has emerged as the dominant business model.

The European Commission has published an evaluation of the EU Animal Health Law, marking ten years since its adoption. The report confirms that the legislation has significantly strengthened animal disease prevention and control across the European Union while identifying areas for further improvement, including broader use of vaccination and better adaptation of the regulatory framework to emerging animal health threats.

Although total US pork exports increased in May 2026, Mexico's new restrictions on pork offal imports had a significant impact on trade. Due to veterinary-related import restrictions, shipments of pork variety meats to one of the industry's largest export markets fell by 80%, costing US producers millions of dollars each week, according to industry estimates.

The UK pig industry has made remarkable progress in reducing antibiotic use over the past ten years. In 2025, antibiotic usage fell to its lowest level since records began, reflecting a long-term strategy focused on disease prevention, monitoring, and the responsible use of veterinary medicines.

Germany has confirmed its first new case of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar in more than a year in the Uckermark district of Brandenburg. Authorities have already strengthened disease control measures and believe the virus was most likely introduced by migrating wild boar from Poland.

On September 23, 2026, the International Congress "Profitable Pig Farming" will bring together pork producers, industry experts, business representatives, and international partners for one of the sector's leading annual events, focused on practical solutions for the sustainable and efficient development of pig production.

Italian researchers have identified the main factors that contributed to the introduction of African swine fever (ASF) into pig farms in northern Italy during 2024. Human activities, vehicle movements, and insufficient separation between residential and production areas were found to be the greatest risk factors, while strict biosecurity measures significantly reduced the likelihood of infection.

The populations of all major livestock species in the European Union declined again in 2025. Goats and sheep recorded the sharpest decreases over the past decade, while pig and cattle numbers also continued their long-term downward trend.

Global pork trade has changed significantly over the past decade. While China has sharply reduced imports after rebuilding its domestic pork industry, Mexico has emerged as the world's largest pork importer and is expected to set a new record for import volumes in 2026.

China's pork market remained under pressure during the first half of 2026, as abundant domestic supply and weak consumer demand continued to weigh on prices. The situation has also led to lower pork imports and prompted the government to intensify efforts to reduce the sow herd in an attempt to rebalance the market.

In June 2026, the FAO Meat Price Index reached a new all-time high. The increase was driven mainly by higher poultry and sheep meat prices, while global pork and beef prices continued to decline.

Global meat consumption is expected to continue growing over the next decade, although at a slower pace than in previous years. Poultry will account for the strongest growth in demand, while pork consumption will increase more modestly, with per capita pork consumption projected to decline slightly.

Pigs have been culled for the first time on the Greek island of Lesvos as part of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control measures. Although the virus was not detected in the pigs themselves, they were destroyed alongside other livestock in accordance with standard disease eradication protocols.

Despite the start of the barbecue season, June 2026 turned out to be one of the most challenging months for the German pork market. Weak demand pushed down prices for slaughter pigs, piglets, and cull sows, while the industry placed high hopes on reopening pork exports to China through a regionalization agreement.