Istria launches local pig production pilot amid regional swine fever challenges

A new pilot project has been launched in Istria, Croatia, to establish a local production chain for raw materials used in making Istrian prosciutto. The initiative involves four farms starting with 250 piglets to reduce reliance on meat sourced from Slavonia. The project aims to create a certified process from pig rearing to the final product, with the first prosciutto expected to be ready in approximately two years. Local officials noted that the emergence of African Swine Fever has accelerated the need to establish independent local systems.

In contrast, pig farmers in the Slavonia region, particularly in areas affected by African Swine Fever, are facing significant economic challenges. Farmers in the Đakovo area report that current purchase prices, ranging between 1 and 1.3 euros per kilogram, are insufficient to cover rising production costs. While meat processing companies state that prices follow the European market and offer secure transport for animals from surveillance zones, growers argue they cannot break even. The Croatian Chamber of Agriculture notes that Croatia currently covers only about 40 percent of its pork needs, warning of an uncertain future for domestic production if the disease persists.