Since 2026, pig welfare requirements have become part of mandatory production standards, making their practical implementation a top priority. This is the focus of the new online course “Pig Welfare: Best Practices and Inspection Features,” available on the AgriAcademy platform.

The spread of African swine fever (ASF) on pig farms in Europe is significantly linked to wildlife, although farm-to-farm transmission remains the dominant pathway. This is according to modelling results from researchers at INRAE, Anses and ENVT.

After a period of price pressure at the beginning of 2026, Brazil’s pork market is showing signs of recovery: prices are expected to rise in April amid tightening supply and a seasonal increase in demand following the end of Lent.

The Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders expresses its support for Taras Vysotskyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, and emphasizes the need for strict adherence to the principle of the presumption of innocence in connection with the referral of the relevant criminal proceedings to court.

In several regions of Siberia, russian veterinary authorities are carrying out a large-scale campaign to seize and cull livestock, raising serious concerns within the sector. Despite official explanations that the measures target pasteurellosis and rabies, market participants suggest the real cause may be an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng held talks in Beijing, focusing on supply chain integrity, trade in energy and agricultural products, including pork. Both sides aim to strengthen bilateral trade amid tariff pressures and strained relations with the United States.

China is actively implementing new approaches to pig feeding aimed at reducing dependence on imported soybeans. Against the backdrop of rising feed costs and geopolitical factors, farmers are switching to alternative protein sources, particularly fermented feed, which is becoming part of the country’s broader food security strategy.

Taiwan has once again regained its status as an African swine fever (ASF)-free territory, as recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The status was restored in less than one and a half months after the application was submitted, demonstrating the high effectiveness of the country’s disease control measures.

In March 2026, the FAO Meat Price Index averaged 127.7 points, up 1% from February and 8% higher than a year earlier. The increase was mainly driven by rising pork prices and, to a lesser extent, beef prices.

The outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in Spain has already had a significant impact on the country’s pig industry: due to trade restrictions and falling prices, producers are facing substantial economic losses. At the same time, authorities are strengthening biosecurity measures and controlling wild boar populations, which are a key factor in the spread of the virus.

In January 2026, Germany increased its exports of pork and pork by-products by 5% year-on-year, reaching approximately 187 thousand tonnes. The key driver behind this growth was the resumption of shipments to third-country markets following the gradual lifting of trade restrictions.

China is intensifying disease control measures in response to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in its northwestern regions. Authorities have already begun culling infected cattle, disinfecting affected areas, and tightening border controls, as the virus is believed to have entered the country from abroad.

In 2025, France maintained a positive pork trade balance, although the situation worsened in several segments. In particular, declining exports affected the balance of fresh, chilled, and frozen pork products.

The spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continues in Greece, with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reporting 12 additional outbreaks. No cases involving pigs have been recorded so far.

In Germany, after more than a year without new cases of African swine fever (ASF), the virus has been detected again in a wild boar in the state of Saxony. The finding was confirmed in the Görlitz district, indicating a risk of renewed spread even after restrictions had been lifted.

In Denmark, a group of pork producers has proposed a gradual exit plan from the industry amid increasing political and societal pressure. However, sector organizations firmly reject this idea and call for conditions that would allow production to be maintained and developed in the country.

Outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) have been reported among cattle in northwestern regions of China. The disease has been confirmed in 219 animals, with the SAT1 serotype detected for the first time in the country—one against which existing vaccines do not provide protection, Reuters reports.

The epizootic situation regarding African swine fever (ASF) is deteriorating in the Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine. According to laboratory findings, the virus was detected in 1.6% of hunted wild boar. Authorities are strengthening measures to regulate wild animal populations, which are a key factor in disease spread.

In the city of Brno (Czech Republic), an experiment has been launched to capture wild boars using humane traps, as the animals are increasingly appearing in urban areas and causing damage to infrastructure.