In Ukraine, there could be a 50% collapse in the pig population.

In Ukraine, in 2026, the pig population may decrease almost by half for the second time in two years, but not due to the war, but due to unfavorable prices and possible further outbreaks of African swine fever due to the lack of vaccination. This was reported by Delo.ua by the executive director of the "Meat Industry" association, Mykola Babenko. The meat market analyst noted that African swine fever (ASF) is the main threat to the industry. There were new outbreaks of the disease in January in the western regions of Ukraine, and there may be more in the spring, the expert noted. The only effective tool against ASF is the introduction of vaccination. "This was supposed to happen last year, but it was slightly delayed. We hope that this year the vaccine will be registered and it will be possible to secure and predict the further development of the pig business," Babenko noted. Babenko noted that in 2024, Ukraine lost about two million heads due to ASF. "Out of six, we lost two ...