Global pig farming: first update of USDA estimates for 2026

General context Global pork production in 2026 is expected to grow by 1%, with increases in the United States, Brazil, China, and Canada largely offsetting the expected contraction in the European Union. Brazil would benefit from the abundance of feed and strong international demand, while China would achieve marginally higher production thanks to an increase in the number of piglets per litter, albeit with slightly lower slaughter weights due to industry pressure to reduce stocks. The EU, for its part, would face tighter margins and the impact of African swine fever detected in Spain at the end of 2025, which would pressure the reduction of its pig stocks. Global exports would remain virtually unchanged at 10.4 million metric tons (Mt), with the largest increases projected for Brazil, the United States, and Canada, offsetting the expected decline for the EU, whose exports would be limited by the lower exportable supply and the sanitary restrictions associated with African swine ...