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.

U.S.-based plant-based meat producer Beyond Meat reported a decline in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025, missing analysts’ expectations due to weak demand and restructuring costs, while posting a profit driven by one-off financial effects.

The third Ukraine - The Netherlands Agricultural Dialogue (UANLAD) took place on 30 and 31 March, 2026 in Breda, The Netherlands. The UANLAD is co-organized by the Ukrainian National Agrrarian Forum UNAF and the Netherlands Farmers’ and Growers’ Association LTO NEDERLAND with full support and encouragement of the  Ministries of Agriculture of both countries.

The State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection reports signs of an increased risk of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) spread in the russian federation and is intensifying its monitoring of the epizootic situation. Ukrainian authorities emphasize the need for heightened preparedness due to potential threats to livestock production and biosecurity.

Italian producers of cured meat products continue to demonstrate steady export growth despite pressure from tariffs, African swine fever (ASF), and geopolitical instability. Demand within the EU market remains the key driver of this expansion.

On March 31, during a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine, Oksana Yurchenko, Project Coordinator at the FAO Investment Centre in Ukraine and President of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders, emphasized practical tools for implementing new animal welfare requirements that came into force on January 1, 2026.

On March 31, a press conference titled “International partnership for the development of education in Ukraine’s agricultural sector” was held at the Interfax-Ukraine press center. Representatives of industry associations, businesses, and international organizations discussed the development of educational initiatives for the agricultural sector. Among the key speakers was Oksana Yurchenko, Project Coordinator at the FAO Investment Centre in Ukraine and President of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders, who emphasized the systemic issue of workforce shortages in the industry.

In 2025, Denmark expanded its pork exports, maintaining its position as one of the key suppliers on the global market. Total shipments, including by-products, reached approximately 1.35 million tonnes, which is 7% higher than the previous year.

The European Union has recorded a slight decline in its total pig population, while the number of sows has shown growth for the first time in several years. These trends indicate a gradual stabilization of the sector after a prolonged downturn.

The Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders (AUPB) has joined the pre-audits of Ukrainian meat processing plants to assess compliance of production and state food control systems with EU requirements.