EU livestock markets under pressure from pig disease outbreak and falling cattle prices

The European Commission forecasts that EU pig meat production will remain largely stable through 2026, with a modest 0.3 % increase year‑on‑year driven by a steady sow herd. However, the recent African swine fever outbreak in Spain has reduced pig prices and restricted export routes, while the prospect of Chinese anti‑dumping duties and rising competition from Brazil and the United States adds further strain. EU pork exports are expected to fall by about 0.5 % in 2026.

At the same time, EU cattle prices are slipping. Average prices for young bulls (class R3) fell to €635.61 per 100 kg, a 0.9 % drop, and slaughter‑cow prices (class O3) slipped to €569.14 per 100 kg, down 1.8 %. Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Ireland and others reported declines, reflecting an oversupply and seasonal lower demand. German producers faced a 3.7 % price fall for slaughter cows. The combined pressure on pork and beef markets raises concerns for farmers across the EU.