March 2026 has become one of the most intense months in terms of African swine fever (ASF) spread in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. According to official data, 73 infected wild boar carcasses have been detected during this period alone, indicating a significant rise in infection pressure in the region.

Kazakhstan has imposed a ban on imports of feed wheat from russia following a deterioration of the epizootic situation in russian regions bordering Kazakhstan, which has been accompanied by mass culling of livestock. The decision was made to safeguard the country’s veterinary security.

In January 2026, U.S. pork exports showed positive dynamics in both volume and value. The growth was primarily supported by steady demand in key markets, particularly Mexico and Asian countries.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) continues to spread in Greece. Following the recent outbreak on the island of Lesvos, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has confirmed five additional outbreaks. The new cases have been detected in the Pelopi area in the North Aegean region.

The Danish pig industry is moving away from approaches associated with “intensive breeding” and is instead focusing on improving piglet survival and overall robustness. These changes in breeding goals are already delivering positive results, particularly in reducing mortality rates.

The African swine fever (ASF) situation in South Korea is intensifying: since the beginning of 2026, around 150,000 pigs have been culled, and nearly 500 tons of feed are being destroyed after the virus was detected. Authorities are tightening quarantine measures and increasing control across the sector.

The European Union has mobilised its strategic emergency reserve, rescEU, to support Cyprus in responding to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) detected in February. The assistance is aimed at containing the spread of the virus and strengthening disease control measures.

U.S.-based Smithfield Foods reported better-than-expected financial results for the fourth quarter but warned of potential cost increases due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East. The main concerns relate to rising prices for fuel, feed crops, and packaging materials.

The European Union and Australia have stepped up negotiations on a long-delayed free trade agreement that had remained stalled for an extended period. The parties aim to make progress in the near future, although meat import quotas remain a key sticking point.

The U.S. pork industry is stepping up its efforts in the South Korean market, focusing on the corporate and institutional catering segment. Large companies are increasingly using corporate cafeterias as a tool for employee retention, creating new opportunities to promote products, including imported pork.

With the introduction of new animal welfare requirements in Ukraine, effective from January 1, 2026, educational and practical resources for their implementation have become especially relevant for producers. In response, two key tools are now available — an online course on the AgriAcademy platform and a special issue of the Profitable Pig Production magazine.

Higher grain and feed ingredient prices driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are increasing financial pressure on Chinese pig producers. The industry, already struggling with low pork prices and weak demand, is facing an even more difficult situation due to sharply rising production costs.

The European Union has completed all procedural steps required for the provisional application of its trade agreement with Mercosur countries. The agreement is expected to take effect on May 1, 2026, opening new opportunities for trade and investment.

The European Union has introduced new safeguard mechanisms for the meat market within the framework of its trade agreement with Mercosur countries. The corresponding Regulation (EU) 2026/687 provides for rapid response measures in cases of sharp increases in imports or significant price declines.

New cases of African swine fever (ASF) have been confirmed among wild boars in Catalonia. The total number of infected animals has reached 232, while the number of outbreaks has risen to 40. The virus has also been detected for the first time in the municipality of Sabadell.

On March 19, the annual MeatForum conference took place in Kyiv, where Oleksandra Bondarska, Vice President of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders, outlined the key challenges and prospects for Ukrainian pork exports.

Germany and South Africa are intensifying negotiations to ease trade restrictions related to African Swine Fever (ASF) and have agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).

A new free online course, “Pig Welfare: Best Practices and Inspection Guidelines,” has been launched on the AgriAcademy educational platform. The course was developed with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

An outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) has been confirmed on a mixed cattle and sheep farm on the Greek island of Lesvos. Although pigs are also susceptible to the virus, no cases have been detected in pigs so far.