Dear readers,
We begin with some good news from the pig industry:
- The German federal state of Saxony has officially lifted all zones with strict African swine fever (ASF) restrictions after five years of combating the disease. The states of Saxony and neighboring Brandenburg reported no new ASF cases in wild boar for over one year.
- Over 30 independent and integrated producers formed a cooperative that has officially taken ownership of Calihan Pork Processors, Illinois, U.S. The move brings a processing facility directly under producer control, not so frequently seen in a packing sector dominated by major corporate players.
- In Spain the Valencian Government has approved a direct grant of €11 million in aid to Campofrio, owned by the Mexican group Sigma Alimentos, for the construction of a new meat processing and marketing center in Utiel. The Campofrio project foresees an investment of over 134 million euros and the possibility of employing more than 300 people.
- In the province of Huesca, Spain, the Mazana Group, a company specializing in pig farming, has acquired a majority stake in Sigma Kreas, owner of livestock companies and Cárnicas Iruña, through a capital increase. Mazana is consolidating its presence in the neighboring province of Navarra, where it currently manages over 100,000 sows. This transaction represents the first step towards vertical integration with the processing and marketing activities of Cárnicas Iruña.
Events calendar:
- The “JFEX Winter JAPAN INT’L FOOD & BEVERAGE EXPO” specializes in showcasing foods and beverages from around the world. Visitors and exhibitors meet on 3 days, from Wednesday, 03.12.2025 to Friday, 05.12.2025 in Chiba.
- The Ethno Food & Drink Fair is an annual event held at the Belgrade Fair, Serbia, renowned for showcasing and promoting ethnic foods and beverages.The Ethno will take place on 4 days from Thursday, 04. December to Sunday, 07. December 2025 in Belgrade.
- Advent/Christmas markets are organized all over the world, enjoy some good time with your family and friends!
Just for fun:
- What can you do with an old slaughterhouse? The Baltic Adventures company invests 4 million euros for the conversion of a slaughterhouse in an indoor theme park in Neustrelitz called “Lost City – Your Adventure City”. The slaughterhouse site, built at record speed after German reunification with millions of German marks in subsidies, was shut down in 1995.
Barcelona
A majority in the Parliament of the Netherlands wants a ban on the use of electric livestock driving devices to take effect starting in 2026. The proposal has been submitted to the Parliament last November. Esther Ouwehand (Party for the Animals) requested a debate on Tuesday afternoon, November 25, because the ban has still not been implemented and2026 is approaching. The livestock sector has not been consulted…What’s next ? We will send invitations to the livestock to get them to the slaughterhouse? Laws are made, but laws can be changed! Until when we accept the decisions made under the pressure of a loud minority?!
After the successful content of ASF in major regions, the German government must prioritize reviving German pork exports, particularly to China, according to the VDF, the association of the German meat industry. Exports to this country have been halted since the first ASF outbreak in 2020. The move is completely justified by the evolution detailed below!
The official veterinary services of the Catalan government in Spain have notified the detection of two wild boars testing positive for ASF. The boars were found dead on November 25 and 26 in Cerdanyola del Vallès, near Barcelona. These positive results represent the first detection of the disease in Spain since November 1994. Furthermore, The Catalan Minister of Agriculture confirmed four new positive cases of ASF in four dead wild boars found in the same area.
Some data, provide by the minister:
- total value of Spanish pork exports is around 8.8 billion euros
- of which 5.1 billion are to the European Union = 58%
- exports to third countries amount to 3.7 billion euros
A significant portion of these exports—1.1 billion euros—corresponds to the Chinese market. The recently signed regionalization agreement with China , will allow continued sales to that country, with the exception of the affected province. However, other third countries may completely close their markets for the Spanish meat.
The approximately 44,500 pig farms are a very important part of the economic dynamics of the Spanish rural areas, a deep crisis of the sector will have effect on the national GDP and on the labor market.
What will happen now ? All eyes are on Barcelona!
