€63 Million Lost: Pig Farmers Hit by Swine Fever

African swine fever returns after many years

In November 2025, African swine fever (ASF) was found again in wild boar in Catalonia. This was the first case in the region since 1994.
ASF does not infect humans, but it is very dangerous for pigs and wild boar.

Because of the outbreak, strict safety rules were introduced to stop the disease from spreading.

Big losses for pig farmers

Pig farmers are paying a high price for these measures.

According to the German Pig Producers’ Association (ISN), which refers to the farmers’ union Unió de Pagesos, losses reached €63 million by the end of 2025.

Farmers reported:

• Pig sales dropped by 17% in November and December

• Prices for slaughter pigs in Spain fell strongly

• Many farms lost income even without infected animals

Movement bans affect thousands of pigs

Around Barcelona, a surveillance zone was set up.
All tests on domestic pigs in this area were negative. Still, strict rules apply.

Because of these rules:

• About 61,500 pigs cannot be transported

• This equals 10% of the pig population in the province

• Farmers must keep animals longer, which raises costs

Exports under pressure

Even though Spain has regional agreements to limit trade bans, exports are suffering.
Trade with China is especially affected. Buyers are cautious, and deliveries are delayed or stopped.

This makes the situation even harder for farmers who depend on exports.

Outlook: uncertainty remains

Right now, there is no infection in domestic pig farms. But as long as ASF is present in wild boar, restrictions will likely stay in place.

For pig farmers in Catalonia, this means:

• Ongoing financial stress

• Unclear market conditions

• Hope that the disease can be contained soon

The coming months will be critical for the future of the region’s pig industry.

Source: https://www.agrarheute.com/tier/schwein/63-mio-euro-schweinehalter-hohe-verluste-wegen-asp-638897