Dear readers,
We always find some good news from our industry:
- The Philippine Department of Agriculture has officially announced the lifting of the temporary ban on pork imports from Spain. This decision was formalized through Departmental Circular No. 22 of 2026, marking a significant milestone for the Spanish meat sector in the Asian market.
- The Regional Government has approved the declaration of a Business Project of Regional Interest for the growth of the meat processing facility belonging to Estirpe Negra, SA, which is a part of Argal Alimentación, Spain .This project is expected to attract an investment of €13,800,000 and create 22 additional jobs beyond the current 96 positions held at the site. The expansion will be executed on an area that exceeds 138,000 square meters.
- A formal event signified the commencement of building the new plant for Campofrío Food Group located in Utiel (Valencia), intended to replace the facility that was lost due to the DANA storm in Torrent in 2024 .The completion of this facility is anticipated in 2027, leading to the generation of 300 jobs following an investment totaling €134 million. The facility will encompass a full-scale meat processing process, which includes the production, curing, marinating, packaging, and distribution of hams, shoulders, sausages, and loins, beginning from the receipt of raw materials all the way to the final packaging of products .The regional government of Valencia is backing this project with a multi-year financial aid of €11 million, as part of its recovery strategy for businesses impacted by the storm.
- Fewer than two years after obtaining two previous Vion sites, the EG Südbayern cooperative is transforming its ownership arrangement .The producer group has consented to transfer a 51 percent share in its slaughterhouses to Norbert Marcher GmbH, located in Villach, Austria .As a result of this transaction, Marcher will gain majority ownership of the slaughtering facilities situated in Landshut and Vilshofen. The financial specifics were not revealed .Under the terms of the agreement, Marcher will take full control of the operational and industrial management of the two facilities .Marcher Group is a privately owned enterprise that runs eleven processing, cutting, and slaughtering locations throughout Austria.Based on company statistics, it handles around 140,000 cattle and one million pigs each year .Its product lineup features fresh meat alongside sausages, ham, convenience foods, and specialty products. The company reported turnover of €700 million in 2025 and employs around 1,850 people. Who could imagine, just a few years ago, that Austrian meat companies are expanding to Germany?
Events calendar:
- Expo ANTAD in Guadalajara is the premier trade fair for the retail, gastronomy, and hospitality sectors in Mexico and across Latin America. Visitors and exhibitors meet for the forty-third time on the Expo ANTAD on 3 days from Tuesday, 19.05.2026 to Thursday, 21.05.2026.
- ILDEX Vietnam is an international trade fair for livestock farming, dairy and meat processing, and aquaculture in Southeast Asia. The fair is held on 3 days from Wednesday, 20.05.2026 to Friday, 22.05.2026 in The Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center, Ho Chi Minh City.
Bicycle Race
Brazil will face a prohibition on its meat exports to the EU, commencing in September, unless it shows adherence to the bloc’s regulations concerning antimicrobial resistance.
On Tuesday, the Commission released a revised list of nations that have proved their compliance with the EU’s limitations on the use of antimicrobials in livestock. According to EU guidelines, these substances are not permitted for enhancing growth or boosting production in livestock and other animals raised for food. “The Commission affirms that Brazil is not represented on the list, which means it will be unable to export to the EU products (including live animals for food and their derived goods) such as beef, horses, poultry, eggs, fish farming products, honey, and casings, effective from 3 September 2026,” stated Eva Hrncirova, the health spokesperson for the Commission. She also mentioned that Brazil has to guarantee compliance with EU standards “throughout the entire lifespan of the animals.” As far as I remember, China has similar rules for import, this subject has to be followed.
The ISN pig farmers’ association in Germany, along with the Westfälisch-Lippischen Landwirtschaftsverband (WLV), has raised alarms over the recent decline in prices at German slaughterhouses.
Due to the influence of Tönnies and Westfleisch, the German price for pigs was reduced by €0.10 .Consequently, the price now stands at €1.60 per kilogram .WLV condemns the decrease, deeming it both unacceptable and unfair. Hubertus Beringmeier, representing WLV in a press release, remarked, “This marks an exceedingly unfortunate beginning to summer and barbecue season for the pig farming sector.”
ISN claims that the supply of pigs remains consistent with the previous year, indicating that a significant oversupply is not the case.
German slaughterhouses cited canceled slaughter days due to holidays as reasoning to apply pressure on pig prices. The ISN union for pig farmers asserted that individual producers cannot independently address the profit margin issues affecting the entire supply chain. “Consistently pressuring producers jeopardizes the stability of the entire value chain”.
Interest groups emphasize that Germany’s welfare standards are notably more comprehensive than those in many other EU nations .They argue that if German sow farmers exit the market, production of piglets is likely to relocate further abroad, a warning previously articulated by ISN.
In total, Germany received nearly 2.43 million piglets during the first three months of the year, a rise of 3.5% in comparison to the previous year. Germany brought in 6.9% more piglets from Denmark than in the equivalent timeframe last year, roughly 1.87 million piglets from Denmark entered Germany.
German imports of pigs meant for slaughter in the first quarter of this year were considerably reduced compared to the same period last year .Approximately 180,000 pigs were brought in, representing a drop of nearly a quarter (24.5%) compared to last year’s figures .The number of Dutch slaughter pigs entering Germany also saw a significant decline, with imports amounting to only 130,000 animals, a decrease of 24.1% .Likewise, imports of Belgian slaughter pigs saw a sharp decline of 26.7%, totaling 30,000 animals.
For now, it seems that Germany will not be able to take back its European leader position in the pig industry from Spain, the African Swine Fever(ASF) has completely reshaped the market situation.
The Spanish pig industry is also struggling with the ASF. For now, it is reacting faster and better, in my opinion. The pork meat industry continues to invest and to modernize its facilities. The diplomacy is also doing its best to regain the lost markets.
Even so, we face some unexpected consequences. The following edition of Tour de France will be unable to traverse Collserola, located near the Spanish-French frontier.
This is the first time that ASF affects a bicycle race.
