In January 2026, Brazil increased its pork exports by nearly 10% year-on-year, while export revenue grew by more than 13%. The results set a record for the month and point to a continued shift of shipments toward new markets.

Spanish authorities have rejected the theory that the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak near Barcelona originated from a laboratory. Meanwhile, the number of wild boar that have died from the virus continues to rise and has now reached 142.

In late January, South Korea confirmed a new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle. This is the first reappearance of the disease in the country in nine months.

South Korea has recorded its eighth African swine fever (ASF) case since the beginning of the year. The new outbreak was detected at a pig farm in Pocheon, north of Seoul.

American farmers are suffering significant losses and may face a fourth consecutive unprofitable year. Industry leaders and senators are warning of a deep financial crisis, despite an expected $12 billion in government aid.

The Philippine Department of Agriculture has updated its pork import rules by introducing the principle of ASF regionalisation. The new measures are designed to strengthen the country’s biosecurity while creating a framework for safe international pork trade.

In 2025, pork production in the United Kingdom increased by 2.3% year-on-year to reach 975,200 tonnes. The key driver of this growth was higher average carcase weights, despite a reduction in the breeding sow herd.

As of January 1, 2026, updated animal welfare requirements for farm animals, harmonised with European legislation, entered into force in Ukraine. For the pig sector, this means a transition to new housing standards that require significant investments and changes in production practices.

In 2025, Chile reached record foreign trade results, and pork strengthened its position as one of the country’s key food exports. Asia became the main destination market, confirming strong demand for Chilean products in strategic global markets.

Brazilian ethanol producer Inpasa has announced the first-ever shipment of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) to China. The cargo, totaling about 62,000 tons, opens a new export market for this ethanol byproduct for Brazil.

South Korea has recorded its sixth African swine fever (ASF) case since the beginning of the year. The new outbreak was detected at a farm near the city of Boryeong, after which the government introduced additional restrictions and strengthened quarantine measures at the national level.

January 2026 began for German pig farmers with a sharp price decline: quotations for slaughter pigs at the start of the month fell from €1.60 to €1.45/kg. Although the market later stabilised, the speed and scale of the drop came as a surprise to producers and set a tense tone for the entire month.

Spain has partially relaxed restrictions introduced due to African swine fever (ASF) while confirming 18 new positive cases of the disease in wild boars. Since November 2025, a total of 103 ASF cases have been detected in the country.

In 2025, Germany significantly reduced its imports of live pigs. According to the German Pig Farmers’ Association, imports of both piglets and slaughter pigs were lower than the previous year, with the sharpest decline recorded in the slaughter pig segment.

The discussion around the use of vaccines against African swine fever (ASF) has resurfaced in the professional community. However, experts stress that as of today, there is no registered and internationally recognized ASF vaccine either in Ukraine or in the European Union. This was highlighted by Oksana Yurchenko, President of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders, in a podcast.

Amid a prolonged price slump and oversupply in the mass pork market, Chinese consumers are increasingly choosing traditional “black pork,” considering it higher in quality and taste. Rising demand for this premium product is creating new opportunities for producers who are suffering losses in the conventional segment.

In 2026, the global pork industry will show uneven production dynamics amid ongoing shifts in international trade. Biosecurity, animal diseases, high investment costs, and trade restrictions will shape supply, while producers are increasingly focusing on productivity, cost reduction, and cautious expansion.

New cases of African swine fever (ASF) have been recorded in wild boar in Catalonia near Barcelona. All detections are within the already established surveillance zone, while pig farms in the region remain disease-free. Authorities are strengthening monitoring and will deploy drones with thermal cameras for nighttime animal detection.

A new podcast featuring Oksana Yurchenko, President of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders, has been released on the “Minselo” YouTube channel. The discussion focused on the real state of Ukraine’s pig sector, its key risks, and the challenges arising in the context of European integration.