Pig producers have experienced a drastic change in profitability, shifting from earning 26 euros per head of livestock to losing 36 due to ASF control measures. Those most affected are farmers located within the 20-kilometer radius around the outbreak detection area, in the Barcelona demarcation.
“"We need 12 months free of the plague to become positive again, and a sector restructuring that involves a 'slimming down' of production is necessary."
Unió de Pagesos warns that the 63 million euro loss recorded in December could multiply by 12 throughout 2026, as this is the one-year period during which control measures and market restrictions are extended.
This situation has caused a 17% drop in the sector's turnover during the months of November and December. Despite 60 positive ASF cases reported in wild boars, no infection has been detected in any of the 57 pig farms located within the restricted zone.
The restrictions affected the movement of 61,500 heads of livestock and directly impacted exports, especially to China, due to regionalization policies. The live pig price at Mercolleida fell rapidly from the end of November, dropping from 1.815 euros per kilo in early July to 1 euro per kilo at the turn of the year.
