Spain has achieved new progress in restoring access for its pork products to third-country markets that had previously imposed restrictions due to African swine fever (ASF). In particular, Ukraine, Honduras and Ecuador have agreed to new trading conditions based on the principle of regionalization.

African swine fever (ASF) significantly expanded its presence in the European Union in 2025. The number of outbreaks in domestic pigs increased by 76%, while cases in wild boar rose by 44%. One of the most notable developments of the year was the reappearance of the virus in Spain after more than three decades without any detections.

The Government of Canada has unveiled a National Food Security Strategy that includes more than $3 billion in investments over the next ten years. The initiative aims to increase domestic food production, expand food processing capacity, strengthen competition in the grocery sector, and reduce regulatory barriers for agricultural businesses.

US pork shipments to Canada posted a sharp increase in April 2026, rising by 71% compared to the low base recorded a year earlier. During the first four months of the year, Canada increased its imports of US pork by 12%, reaffirming its position as one of the key export markets for American producers.

The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) has welcomed the Government of Canada’s new National Food Security Strategy. The initiative aims to increase consumption of domestically produced food, expand processing capacity, and reduce regulatory barriers—measures that the pork sector believes will strengthen the country’s food system and support the long-term development of pig production.

During the first four months of 2026, US pork exports to Mexico reached a record pace, while shipments to Japan continued their strong recovery. At the same time, American exporters faced new restrictions in one of their key markets following the detection of antibodies to the pseudorabies virus (PRV) in US hogs.

Catalonia has recorded two additional cases of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar. Since the beginning of the outbreak, the total number of infected animals in the region has risen to 344, while authorities continue to strengthen disease containment measures.

The new EU rules introduce fairer pricing mechanisms for agricultural products, strengthen farmers’ bargaining power in negotiations with buyers, and establish clearer food labelling requirements. The legislation also protects traditional meat-related terms from being used for alternative products that do not contain meat.

On June 18, Lviv hosted another regional training session for specialists of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection (SSUFSCP), focusing on state control of antimicrobial use and efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The event was organized within the framework of the Achieving Results and Supporting Epidemic Control (EpiC) project with the participation of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders (AUPB).

On June 16–17, a new series of training sessions for representatives of territorial communities took place in Lviv as part of the “Achieving Results and Supporting Epidemic Control” (EpiC) project, implemented with the participation of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders (AUPB). The training focused on communication strategies for the responsible use of antibiotics in animal production and on combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Brazil is moving closer to opening a new segment of pork exports to China. The two countries have agreed on the technical terms of a sanitary protocol covering pork offal shipments, a development that could significantly increase the value of Brazilian pork products and further strengthen the country’s position in one of the world’s largest meat markets.

On June 16–17, Lviv hosted the second series of practical training sessions for representatives of pig farms and cattle producers as part of the international EpiC project, implemented with the participation of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders. The training focused on the implementation of new veterinary requirements and the responsible use of antibiotics in livestock production.

The European Parliament has approved a new package of tariff legislation between the European Union and the United States that eliminates tariffs on US industrial goods and grants preferential market access to a broad range of American agricultural products and seafood. At the same time, the legislation includes safeguards designed to protect European producers in the event of a sharp increase in imports.

Canada and Japan have concluded an African swine fever (ASF) zoning agreement that will allow pork exports to continue from disease-free regions even if ASF is detected elsewhere in the country. For Canada, the agreement represents an important step in strengthening export security and protecting one of its key international markets.

Spain’s meat industry generates more than €44.3 billion in gross value added and accounts for approximately 2.8% of the country’s GDP. A new study has found that every euro created directly by the sector generates an additional €4.80 in economic activity across the wider economy.

The European Union and the Republic of Korea have agreed to continue efforts to improve mutual market access for agri-food products. Among the products expected to benefit from enhanced trade conditions are European pork, beef, and poultry meat.

In May 2026, the FAO Meat Price Index remained virtually unchanged compared to the previous month. Higher prices for beef, sheep meat, and poultry were almost entirely offset by a decline in pork quotations, driven by abundant supplies in the European market and subdued import demand.

On June 11–12, a new series of training sessions for representatives of territorial communities took place in Lutsk within the framework of the international EpiC project, implemented with the participation of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders (AUPB). The training focused on responsible antibiotic use in animal production and combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Croatian authorities have confirmed a new case of African swine fever (ASF) in the eastern part of the country. The disease was detected through the national ASF surveillance programme at a small farm in Osijek-Baranja County, prompting veterinary services to implement restriction measures.

In 2025, the European Union recorded a sharp increase in African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in both domestic pigs and wild boar. Of particular concern was the re-emergence of the disease in Spain, which had remained ASF-free for more than three decades.