The European Union’s pork market is entering a period of heightened turbulence. Despite relatively stable trade flows in 2025, pig prices have been declining for several months, and the confirmation of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar in Spain on November 27 threatens to exert significant additional pressure on the market.

Spain has appointed a special scientific committee of six leading experts to monitor and determine the origin of the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Catalonia. The virus has already been confirmed in 13 wild boars near Barcelona, prompting multiple countries to close their markets to Spanish pork.

The European Commission has announced a major reinforcement of controls on food, animals, plants and agricultural products entering the EU. The decision follows a dedicated Implementation Dialogue on import checks, during which Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi presented a package of measures aimed at strengthening oversight at external borders and in partner countries. The goal is to enhance food safety for consumers and ensure fair competition for European producers.

In November 2025, Brazilian pork exports (including both fresh and processed products) totaled 106.5 thousand tons, a 12.5% decrease compared to the same month last year (121.1 thousand tons). Export revenue also declined, reaching USD 248.2 million versus USD 291.7 million in November 2024 — a drop of 14.9%.

In its December report, experts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) significantly revised global corn balance sheets, sharply lowering the production forecast for Ukraine. The update was reported by Kurkul.com.

Catalonia has begun slaughtering the first batches of pigs from the 20-kilometre African swine fever (ASF) containment zone. The announcement was made on December 9 by Catalonia’s Minister of Agriculture Òscar Ordeig following a meeting with representatives of the pork sector.

The confirmation of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boars near Barcelona — Spain’s first detected case since 1994 — is already reshaping global pork trade dynamics. The virus, identified in late November and followed by 13 confirmed cases in Catalonia, has prompted trading partners to reassess their import policies and forced exporters to adjust rapidly. Catalonia, which accounts for roughly 8% of Spain’s pork production, has become the focal point of international attention.

U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a new $12 billion support package for American farmers — another attempt by the White House to mitigate the consequences of trade conflicts that have caused significant financial damage to the agricultural sector. Reuters reports.

Pork in Brazil is significantly improving its market position compared to beef, reaching its highest level of competitiveness since 2022. This was reported by the research center Cepea, which analyzed price dynamics for major meat categories in the country.

The Philippine government has temporarily suspended the import of live pigs and pork products from Spain and Taiwan following confirmed outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in these regions. The announcement was made by the country’s Department of Agriculture, Reuters reports.

Following the confirmation of African swine fever (ASF) in Catalonia, Spain is receiving mixed signals from its trading partners regarding pork imports. Some countries have agreed to accept regionalization, while others have completely suspended imports and are negotiating potential revisions. Against this backdrop, the domestic market is experiencing a sharp decline in prices.

Spain is examining a new theory regarding the origin of the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Catalonia — the virus may have accidentally escaped from a research laboratory. The Guardian reports this with reference to Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Spain has recorded a further expansion of the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak among wild boar. The Central Veterinary Laboratory in Madrid has confirmed four additional positive cases detected near previous findings in the Barcelona region. This brings the total number of infected animals to 13.

In central Poland, near one of the country’s key pig-farming regions, authorities discovered the carcass of a wild boar infected with African swine fever (ASF). While officials initially did not rule out the possibility of deliberate virus introduction, preliminary findings by security services suggest the animal was most likely dumped by poachers.

The United Kingdom has announced a partial easing of its ban on pork imports from Spain, allowing shipments from regions unaffected by African swine fever (ASF). Reuters reported that the decision reverses a blanket ban imposed last week after Spain confirmed its first ASF cases in wild boar in more than 30 years.

Catalonia has announced a significant strengthening of wild boar population control — including expanded culling programs — after the region confirmed its first cases of African swine fever (ASF) in 30 years. Reuters reports that the outbreak poses a serious threat to Spain’s pig industry, the largest in the EU and one of the most important globally.

Following the confirmation of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boars in Catalonia, the Spanish government has released its first assessment of how the outbreak may affect international pork trade. The update was provided by Spain’s Minister of Agriculture during a special press conference.

Spain has confirmed additional cases of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar, with the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Algete (Madrid) verifying infection in seven more animals. All of them were found dead in the municipality of Cerdanyola del Vallès, near Barcelona, close to the locations where the first two confirmed cases appeared last week.

Biochem, an innovative animal nutrition company specializing in feed additives and dietary supplements, and BASF have entered into a binding agreement on Biochem’s acquisition of BASF's global glycinate business.

Greece has been hit by large-scale farmer protests triggered by delays in European Union agricultural subsidies. Around €600 million in payments remain outstanding, and disbursement has been halted amid a major corruption scandal currently under investigation by both Greek and EU authorities.