The head of the pig sector at UP, Rossend Saltiveri, warned that this figure could multiply by 12 throughout 2026, as the outbreak control measures and market restrictions are expected to last for a year. Producers have experienced a drastic shift, moving from earning 26 euros per pig to losing 36 euros due to ASF. The most affected are producers located within the 20-kilometer radius where the outbreak was detected, mainly around the Barcelona demarcation.

These figures represent a 17% drop in the turnover of the Catalan pig sector during November and December. Despite 60 positive ASF cases reported in wild boars in the natural environment, UP stressed that no positive cases have been detected in any of the 57 pig farms located within the 20-kilometer radius of the infected zone.

Despite the absence of sick animals on farms, the virus led to movement restrictions for 61,500 heads, 10% of the total in the Barcelona demarcation. This had a direct impact on exports, especially to China, where regionalization prevents the export of pigs from this area.

The impact was also evident in livestock prices. The price of live pigs at Mercolleida fell rapidly since late November and the declaration of the outbreak, dropping from a maximum of 1.815 euros per kilo in early July to 1 euro per kilo by the turn of the year. Saltiveri predicted a restructuring of the sector, where less efficient farms, particularly breeding farms, might cease production.