10 Dec 2025
EU Pork Market Faces Turmoil as Prices Fall and African Swine Fever Looms
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The European Union’s pork market is facing a period of significant uncertainty, with falling prices and the recent detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Spain creating a challenging environment for producers.
EU grade S reference pig prices have been on a downward trend since June, reaching their lowest level since March 2022. This decline is putting pressure on producers across the bloc, and the situation is being exacerbated by the widening price gap between the UK and the EU, which could make EU pork more attractive to UK buyers.
The discovery of ASF in wild boar in Spain, the EU’s largest pork producer and exporter, is a major cause for concern. While regionalisation agreements are in place for some key export markets, the outbreak is expected to lead to a significant redirection of Spanish pork into the domestic EU market. This influx of heavily discounted pork is likely to further depress prices and create a glut in the market, adding to the woes of already struggling producers.
The combination of falling prices and the ASF outbreak is creating a perfect storm for the EU pork industry. The market is already grappling with increased production and weaker demand, and the latest developments will only add to the pressure. The coming months will be a critical period for the industry as it navigates these challenges and seeks to restore stability to the market.
Source article: AHDB – “Prices down, trade stable but ASF set to test market stability – EU pork market update”
10 December 2025