The number of African swine fever (ASF) cases among wild boar in Catalonia (Spain) has risen to 284, with the disease now detected for the first time in the municipality of Castellbisbal. The emergence of a new outbreak outside previously identified clusters indicates further spread of the virus and complicates the epizootic situation in the region.

On April 22–23, the first practical training sessions on the responsible use of antibiotics in livestock production were held in Lviv, organized with the participation of the Association of Pig Farmers of Ukraine within the framework of the international EpiC project.

Despite the limited direct impact of the current Middle East conflict on the pig sector, its indirect effects are expected to be felt across the market. This is highlighted in Rabobank’s latest global pork quarterly.

In the first quarter of 2026, Spain recorded a significant decline in imports of live pigs for both further rearing and slaughter. This trend indicates a shift in trade flows amid epizootic risks, particularly the spread of African swine fever (ASF).

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has urged countries to strengthen epizootic control measures as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), particularly the SAT-1 serotype, expands beyond its traditional range in Africa. Cases are now being reported in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, signaling a new phase in the spread of the disease and heightened risks for global livestock production.

In 2025, meat consumption in Germany increased, reversing the previous downward trend. On average, per capita consumption rose by 1.4 kg compared to the previous year, indicating a partial recovery in demand.

In the first quarter of 2026, pork production in the United Kingdom showed solid growth, exceeding both last year’s figures and market expectations. The key drivers were higher slaughter volumes and increased average carcase weights.

Leading German agricultural associations are urging the government to introduce a national special programme to support sow farming. The industry warns that without targeted financial assistance, the country risks losing a significant share of its domestic piglet production and facing profound structural changes.

UK supermarket chain Tesco has become the first in the country to fully transition an entire product category to QR codes, replacing traditional barcodes in its own-label sausage range. The initiative is part of a broader retail transformation aimed at improving transparency, inventory management efficiency, and waste reduction.

In the German federal state of Saxony, new cases of African swine fever (ASF) have been detected in wild boar less than two months after the region regained its disease-free status. Since the end of March, the number of infected animals has risen to 17, prompting authorities to reintroduce restrictive measures.

The first practical training on the responsible use of antibiotics in livestock production will take place in Lviv on April 23. The event marks the launch of a series of trainings aimed at explaining new veterinary requirements and their practical implementation at farm level.

Oksana Yurchenko, President of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders, delivered an open lecture for students of agricultural colleges from across Ukraine, focusing on the transformation of the industry, new requirements, and future technologies.

In 2026, global pork production is expected to show moderate growth, while international trade will remain relatively stable. At the same time, the European market will face pressure from African swine fever (ASF), which will impact both production and export volumes.

In 2025, Dutch piglet exports declined by 4.6%, but the structure of destination markets changed significantly: Spain became the largest buyer for the first time, surpassing the traditional leader, Germany.

The Chinese government is intensifying signals to the pig industry on the need to reduce production capacity amid a prolonged decline in pork prices. Minister of Agriculture Han Jun called on producers to bring the breeding sow herd to a “reasonable level” and more actively meet market regulation targets.

In the first quarter of 2026, the Dutch pig processing sector recorded a sharp decline in volumes, reflecting profound structural changes in the industry and the impact of government policies aimed at reducing livestock numbers.

A study by researchers from Ethiopia has shown that genetically modified (GM) crops used in animal feed have no negative impact on animal health or productivity. At the same time, the researchers note that certain aspects require further investigation.

On the Greek island of Lesvos, the number of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks has risen to 22 farms, causing significant economic damage to the livestock sector and triggering farmer protests. Producers, unable to market their products, have blocked the port of Mytilini, demanding compensation from the authorities.

In the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the number of African swine fever (ASF) cases in wild boar has exceeded 500. The epizootic situation in the region continues to worsen, while in other parts of Germany the spread of the virus remains relatively stable.

In the first quarter of 2026, China’s pork production increased by 4.2% year-on-year to 16.69 million tonnes. The rise in output comes despite efforts to curb market oversupply and against the backdrop of weak consumer demand.