On September 23, 2026, the International Congress "Profitable Pig Farming" will bring together pork producers, industry experts, business representatives, and international partners for one of the sector's leading annual events, focused on practical solutions for the sustainable and efficient development of pig production.

Italian researchers have identified the main factors that contributed to the introduction of African swine fever (ASF) into pig farms in northern Italy during 2024. Human activities, vehicle movements, and insufficient separation between residential and production areas were found to be the greatest risk factors, while strict biosecurity measures significantly reduced the likelihood of infection.

The populations of all major livestock species in the European Union declined again in 2025. Goats and sheep recorded the sharpest decreases over the past decade, while pig and cattle numbers also continued their long-term downward trend.

Global pork trade has changed significantly over the past decade. While China has sharply reduced imports after rebuilding its domestic pork industry, Mexico has emerged as the world's largest pork importer and is expected to set a new record for import volumes in 2026.

China's pork market remained under pressure during the first half of 2026, as abundant domestic supply and weak consumer demand continued to weigh on prices. The situation has also led to lower pork imports and prompted the government to intensify efforts to reduce the sow herd in an attempt to rebalance the market.

In June 2026, the FAO Meat Price Index reached a new all-time high. The increase was driven mainly by higher poultry and sheep meat prices, while global pork and beef prices continued to decline.

Global meat consumption is expected to continue growing over the next decade, although at a slower pace than in previous years. Poultry will account for the strongest growth in demand, while pork consumption will increase more modestly, with per capita pork consumption projected to decline slightly.

Pigs have been culled for the first time on the Greek island of Lesvos as part of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control measures. Although the virus was not detected in the pigs themselves, they were destroyed alongside other livestock in accordance with standard disease eradication protocols.

Despite the start of the barbecue season, June 2026 turned out to be one of the most challenging months for the German pork market. Weak demand pushed down prices for slaughter pigs, piglets, and cull sows, while the industry placed high hopes on reopening pork exports to China through a regionalization agreement.

On 2–3 July, Rivne hosted another round of training sessions for representatives of territorial communities as part of the Enhancing Capacity for Epidemic Control (EpiC) project, with the participation of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders (AUPB). The training focused on risk communication, responsible antibiotic use in livestock production, and combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The Netherlands exported the fewest piglets in the first half of 2026 in the past ten years. Shipments declined by nearly 21% compared with the same period last year, confirming the long-term downward trend in Dutch piglet exports. Despite the significant drop in volumes, Spain remained the largest destination for Dutch piglets for the second consecutive year.

Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture has begun implementing new inspection procedures for meat and meat products in an effort to comply with European Union requirements on the use of antimicrobial substances in livestock production. The measures are intended to help the country avoid import restrictions that could take effect as early as September 2026.

U.S. pork exports to China increased significantly in April 2026 compared with the low base recorded a year earlier. However, shipments for the first four months of the year remained largely unchanged in volume, while export value continued to trail last year's level. Pork variety meats once again accounted for the majority of U.S. exports to the Chinese market.

Sales of veterinary antibacterial medicines in Belgium fell by nearly 13% in 2025, reaching the lowest level since monitoring began. Particularly strong progress was achieved in the pig sector, where antibiotic use declined by 16% over the year, and the majority of farms now meet the highest benchmarks for responsible antimicrobial use.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reports a gradual decline in African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks worldwide. However, new cases were recorded in May 2026, including in Ukraine and Bhutan, while Europe remains the region most affected by the disease.

The Philippines are intensifying efforts to combat African swine fever (ASF) following new suspected and confirmed cases reported in several parts of the country. Authorities are tightening restrictions on the movement of pigs and pork products, strengthening veterinary surveillance, and urging producers to strictly comply with biosecurity measures.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its June outlook for the 2026/27 marketing year, forecasting a 2% decline in global corn production, while global soybean output is expected to reach a record high. Lower corn production in the United States and Argentina is projected to outweigh gains in Brazil and China, whereas the soybean market is expected to continue expanding on the back of strong harvests in the Americas.

The foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) situation in South Africa continues to deteriorate rapidly. According to official figures, the country has recorded 2,249 outbreak locations, of which 2,211 remain active, highlighting the extensive spread of the disease and the growing pressure on the livestock sector.

On 25–26 June, Kyiv hosted the second round of practical training sessions for pig and cattle producers as part of the USAID-funded Enhancing Public Health and Epidemiological Control (EpiC) project, with the participation of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders (AUPB). The training focused on implementing practical approaches to animal health management and the responsible use of antibiotics on farms.

The number of pig farms in Germany continues to decline. As of May 2026, the country had 14,700 pig holdings—40% fewer than ten years ago. At the same time, the national pig population has decreased by 22.5% over the same period, reflecting the ongoing concentration of production in larger operations.