Polish pig population more than halved in a few years due to AVP

The pig population in Poland is currently at a historic post-war low. According to recent data, the number of pigs in the country has fallen significantly, to around 9 million. Before the outbreak of African swine fever, there were over 20 million.

The disease not only affects wild boars across the vast Polish countryside, but has also had devastating consequences for commercial pig farming. New outbreaks continue to be reported, particularly in northern Poland and the West Pomeranian region, further complicating the already fragile situation for Polish pig farmers.

The frequent outbreaks have led to severe transport and trade restrictions, making it impossible to move pigs from infected areas to slaughterhouses in safe locations. This poses major problems for farmers, especially in the vast and sparsely populated countryside, where infrastructure is already limited. The restrictions have caused many farmers to shut down or scale down their activities.

Agriculture Minister Czeslaw Siekierski says he is aware of the emergency and has promised new support measures for the sector. This support includes subsidies and financial compensation for affected farmers, but for many pig farmers it feels like mustard after the meal. The damage caused by African swine fever is now so great that recovery in the short term seems unrealistic. 

The heavy pressure exerted by ASF on the sector has caused many farmers to close their businesses completely or to look for alternative forms of farming. For many of them, the uncertainty is too great to reinvest in pig farming.

In addition to the impact of African swine fever, the rising price of animal feed also plays a role in the problems for the Polish pig sector. Due to the higher costs, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep production affordable, which is putting increasing pressure on Polish pig farmers.

Pork prices are expected to rise significantly in the coming months due to the decline in production. This will likely lead to consumers paying more for pork products, which could stimulate demand for alternative protein sources.

The situation in Poland illustrates the impact of African swine fever on livestock farming in Europe. While some other countries have succeeded in protecting their pig industries from the disease, this has proven to be much more difficult in Poland. The large number of wild boars roaming the Polish forests and fields makes it difficult to completely eradicate ASF and ensures that the risk of new infections remains high.

The Ministry of Agriculture has developed several strategies to contain the outbreaks, including hunting wild boar and improved biosecurity measures on farms. However, these measures do not seem to be enough to turn the tide.

For now, the future of the Polish pig industry seems uncertain. With new outbreaks of African swine fever and a declining pig population, it will take a long time before the sector can recover. Without decisive measures, the Polish pig industry seems set to remain in dire straits for quite some time.