In 2026, African swine fever (ASF) is once again spreading across parts of North Korea, resulting in a decline in pig numbers and a sharp increase in pork prices. The disease is affecting both state-run farms and private households, significantly impacting production and product availability.
According to available information, the number of breeding sows has decreased at state pig farms in several provinces, reducing the supply of piglets available to private households for fattening. As a result, the share of households raising pigs has dropped to below 30%, a significant decline compared to last year.
New ASF cases continue to be reported in various regions of the country as of April 2026. North Korea first reported an outbreak in 2019, after which the disease quickly spread nationwide, causing a sharp rise in pork prices. Pork remains scarce in local markets.
Experts note that the renewed outbreak is driven by a number of structural issues. Feed shortages have forced producers to use food waste for feeding pigs, significantly increasing the risk of disease transmission. Additional factors include low levels of biosecurity, unregulated slaughter practices, and a lack of effective control over private household operations, which remain outside the official disease surveillance system.
Despite government efforts to boost piglet production at state farms, these measures are constrained by shortages of funding, equipment, and skilled personnel.
Analysts stress that containing ASF requires not only strengthened disease control measures but also comprehensive solutions that take into account producers’ economic conditions and ensure market stability. This includes improving production conditions, enhancing biosecurity, and implementing more flexible government policies that encourage cooperation with producers.
PigUA.info, based on materials from dailynk.com