Germany has seen a significant decrease in its pig population, reaching a record low with over 10% fewer pigs compared to the previous year and almost 20% fewer compared to 2020. This decline is attributed to the economic strain caused by increased energy, fertilizer, and feed costs, as well as the African swine fever virus and reduced exports to China due to COVID-19 restrictions. The situation is part of a broader problem of rising energy prices in Germany, which has led to production cuts, job losses, and businesses relocating overseas in an effort to mitigate the impact of high energy costs and potential gas shortages.