Researchers from the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) have developed a reverse genetics system for African swine fever virus (ASFV). This new system will aid researchers in developing vaccines and in studying the pathogenesis and biology of ASFV, a highly contagious, deadly viral disease affecting domesticated and wild pigs, especially prevalent in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. A recent study estimates if ASFV reached the United States it could result in economic losses exceeding $50 billion over a ten-year period.

Brazilian meatpacking giant JBS has announced plans to invest $100 million in the construction of two meat processing plants in Vietnam. According to Reuters, the new facilities will produce beef, pork, and poultry, allowing the company to expand its presence in Southeast Asia and strengthen its position in the global market.

African Swine Fever remains a serious challenge for Europe's pig farming sector. According to new data from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the number of ASF outbreaks increased in February 2025.

The restriction zone established around this second outbreak, which involves more than 3,000 dairy cattle, covers a small part of Austrian territory.

The Canadian government has announced enhancements to the AgriStability program in response to China’s decision to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian exports of canola oil, canola meal, and peas, as well as 25% tariffs on certain pork, fish, and seafood products.

At the end of March, prices on the slaughter pig live market increased by 3-4% compared to the previous week. These are the results of the weekly monitoring of live pork purchase prices announced by analysts of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders.

Brazilian pork exports reached a record high in February, totalling 114.4 thousand tonnes, according to a recent market report by the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA).

African Swine Fever (ASF) remains a major threat to the swine industry in the Dominican Republic (DR), particularly affecting small farms that lack proper biosecurity measures. According to local reports, in at least five provinces, ASF has moved from being a looming threat to actively destroying traditional and backyard pig farms, which operate with little to no sanitary or breeding controls.

The location of the new outbreak reinforces the possibility of long-distance airborne transmission, the most likely hypothesis.

Slovakia declared an emergency situation on Tuesday, making it easier to enact measures to prevent the spread of cases of foot-and-mouth disease after infections were detected in the southern part of the country, Reuters reported, citing the government office on its website.

China renewed or extended the facility registrations by five years for 365 U.S. pork establishments.

After the first foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Germany in January, the virus continues to spread across Europe. Recently, cases have been confirmed in Hungary and Slovakia, affecting cattle farms in both countries. Experts suggest that these outbreaks may be linked due to their geographical proximity.

Canadian farmers are facing increasing economic pressure due to simultaneous trade restrictions from China and the United States. On March 21, China imposed 100% tariffs on Canadian canola oil and meal and 25% tariffs on fish products and pork. These measures were taken in retaliation for Canada’s October tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum.

Slovakia confirmed the presence of foot and mouth disease in the country, affecting three cattle farms.

A second case of African swine fever (ASF) has been confirmed in the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg. The first case in the region was recorded in August 2024, when the virus was detected in a sick wild boar that was shot near Hemsbach (Rhine-Neckar district).

It is still prohibited to transport susceptible animals from Győr-Moson-Sopron County to third countries and European Union member states.

In 4 years, Romania is expected to boost its pig population to reach complete self-sufficiency in pork, according to Minister of Agriculture Florin Barbu.

An outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) has been confirmed at a commercial pig farm near the village of Roscani in the Anenii Noi district of Moldova. Laboratory tests detected the virus in samples collected from pigs. According to the National Food Safety Agency, the farm houses approximately 65,000 pigs.

Leading Danish pork producer Danish Crown has announced the closure of its factory in Pinghu near Shanghai—the company’s only pig processing facility in China.