Farmers in a number of European countries continue large-scale protests against the trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur, which was backed by a majority of EU member states on January 9, 2026. Agricultural producers warn of a potential influx of cheaper products, unfair competition, and risks to food security and the sustainability of European production.

In 2025, African swine fever (ASF) developed unevenly across Europe: the number of outbreaks in domestic pigs increased slightly, while a sharp rise in cases among wild boars signaled significantly stronger epidemiological pressure. Wild boar continue to be the main reservoir of the virus, and one of the most notable developments of the year was the emergence of ASF in Spain.

As of January 1, 2026, new rules on sow housing have come into force in Denmark, providing for a gradual phase-out of sow confinement in farrowing crates. From now on, sows must be kept loose in farrowing pens, except for a short period immediately around farrowing, when the risk of piglets being crushed is at its highest.

European Union countries have given provisional approval to a free trade agreement between the EU and the South American Mercosur bloc—the largest trade deal in the history of the European Union in terms of tariff reductions. At the same time, the agreement remains one of the most controversial, due to concerns raised by farmers, environmental groups, and several governments about its potential impact on agriculture and the environment.

At the end of 2025, Hungary recorded an outbreak of Aujeszky’s disease (pseudorabies) at a large pig farm near the border with Croatia. The detection of the disease in a country that had officially been free of the infection for almost ten years prompted the introduction of strict veterinary measures and warnings for producers both within the region and beyond.

Italy has given decisive support to the trade agreement between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc, potentially allowing the EU to sign the deal in the near future. Rome’s change in position has become a key factor in overcoming resistance from several member states and advancing one of the largest trade agreements in the history of the Union.

Over the next decade, the European Union is expected to see a gradual but steady decline in both pork production and pork consumption. This outlook is outlined in the updated ten-year agricultural market forecast prepared by the European Commission.

In Germany’s federal state of North Rhine–Westphalia, the situation with African swine fever (ASF) in the wild boar population has become more complicated. In late December, infected carcasses were once again discovered outside the fenced infected zone. Authorities are now considering expanding the affected area and installing additional fencing.

In the first ten days of January, prices for slaughter-weight live pigs slightly weakened, according to the analytical department of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders, citing the results of weekly monitoring of procurement prices.

The French government has announced stricter controls on the import of a range of food products in an effort to ease tensions among farmers, who have been protesting what they see as unfair competition from countries with looser production and food safety regulations.

As of the end of 2025, more than 73% of pig farms in Denmark officially hold a status free from Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS). These results indicate significant progress of the national PRRS reduction programme, which has been implemented since 2022.

In the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak among wild boars in the Cerdanyola area of Catalonia, 18 additional dead animals have been confirmed. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 47, the region’s Minister of Agriculture reported.

The investigation into the origin of the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak among wild boar in Catalonia has taken an unexpected turn. A study commissioned by the regional government indicates that the virus detected near Barcelona is likely a new or previously undocumented strain and did not originate from the IRTA-CReSA laboratory.

The Catalan authorities have confirmed the discovery of two more dead wild boars infected with African swine fever. Both cases were recorded within the already established high-risk zone, allowing the current restrictive measures to remain in place without expanding the affected area.

African swine fever remains a serious challenge for global pig farming: a confirmed outbreak in north-eastern India is accompanied by strict quarantine measures, while new cases among domestic and wild pigs are being reported in countries in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, increasing the risks to biosecurity and international trade.

The pig farm of the KSG Agro agricultural holding in the Kherson region has been hit three times by Russian drones and missiles since 8 December. This was reported by United24, citing comments from the company's management.

The introduction and revision of trade tariffs by the administration of US President Donald Trump is increasingly worrying pork producers in both Asia and North America. In Thailand, farmers are sounding the alarm over a possible influx of cheap, duty-free American pork, while in Canada, the industry is concerned about the upcoming review of the free trade agreement with the US and Mexico.

After an almost nine-month break, African swine fever (ASF) has been confirmed again in Hong Kong. The new outbreak was officially reported by the animal health authority of the Special Administrative Region in a notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The source of the infection remains unknown.

The French government on Friday urged farmers to declare a so-called “Christmas truce” and halt road blockades and mass protests during the holiday period. At the same time, leading farming unions said their next steps would depend directly on the prime minister’s response to the sector’s key demands, Reuters reported.

Spain has confirmed a total of 27 cases of African swine fever (ASF) infection in wild boars. All infected animals were found north of Barcelona, although the most recent case was detected about 5 km from previous sites, raising additional concerns among veterinary and animal health authorities.