Poland – Towards top of EU pig production!?
Join us in Poznań for one of the most influential gatherings in the European pig farming sector! The EPP Congress 2026 will bring together farmers, industry experts, researchers, and decision-makers to explore the future of pig production in Europe – with Poland at the center of this transformation.
Why Attend?
Poland is rapidly emerging as a key player in EU pig production. This congress offers a unique opportunity to understand the structural changes, challenges, and prospects shaping the Polish pig farming sector and their impact on the European and global market.
Key Topics & Highlights
- Structural Changes in Polish Pig Farming – What’s driving growth and modernization?
- Global & EU Pig Market Outlook – Trends, trade, and future opportunities.
- Profitability in Pig Production – Is success determined by the farmer, the market, or higher forces?
- Pig Welfare & Health – Practical insights for sustainable farming.
Expect inspiring keynotes, discussion rounds, excursions and networking opportunities with leading experts and peers from across Europe.
Be Part of the Future
Don’t miss your chance to gain knowledge, exchange ideas, and shape the future of pig production in Europe. Secure your spot today and register for the EPP Congress 2026 in Poznań!
2:00 p.m.
Opening
Gert van Beek, EPP President
2:05 p.m.
Welcome & Introduction
2:15 p.m.
Structural changes, challenges and prospects for the development of the pig farming sector in Poland
Aleksander Dargiewicz, President POLPIG
3:00 p.m.
The future role of pork as a tasty, valuable and climate efficient protein source
(What have we achieved, what are our challenges?)
Dr. Gereon Schulze Althoff, Chief Sustainability Officer Premium Food Group
3:45 p.m. | Break
4:15 p.m.
What is the key determinant of pig production profitability – the farmer, the market or higher power?
Dr. Tomasz Schwarz, Agriculture University of Cracow
4:45 p.m.
Goodvalley – sustainable production of pork in unsustainable environment
Grzegorz Brodziak, Goodvalley Agro S.A. / POLPIG
5:15 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Poland towards top of EU pig production
- Dr. Tomasz Schwarz
- Aleksander Dargiewicz
- Dr. Gereon Schulze Althoff
6:00 p.m. | Break
6:15 p.m.
EPP General Assembly (for members only!)
Gert van Beek, EPP President
8:30 a.m.
Key factors affecting the rearing of suckling piglets
Prof. Anna Rząsa, Agricultural University Wrocław
9:10 a.m.
Sponsor speech – topic t.b.c.
9:30 a.m.
Sponsor speech – topic t.b.c
9:50 a.m.
Healthy gut – healthy pig, how to achieve it?
Dr. Tomasz Schwarz, Agriculture University of Cracow
10:30 a.m. | Start Excursion – Part I
Excursion – Part I – Group A
| 10:30 - 12:00 start from Andersia Hotel to Kuklinów |
| 12:00 - 1:30 visit of AGROINTEGRACJA (Wojciech Styburski farm) - Kuklinów |
| 1:30 - 2:30 start from Kuklinów to Nowa Wieś |
| 2:30 - 4:00 visit of Bogusław Prałat farm - Nowa Wieś |
| 4:00 - 5:00 back to Andersia Hotel |
Excursion – Part I – Group B
| 10:30 - 12:00 start from Andersia Hotel to Nowa Wieś |
| 12:00 - 1:30 visit of Bogusław Prałat farm - Nowa Wieś |
| 1:30 - 2:30 start from Nowa Wieś to Kuklinów |
| 2:30 - 4:00 visit of AGROINTEGRACJA (Wojciech Styburski farm) - Kuklinów |
| 4:00 - 5:00 back to Andersia Hotel |
AGROINTEGRACJA
AgroIntegracja is a modern agricultural organization based in Wielkopolska, with one of its key locations in Kuklinów. The company focuses on integrating farmers through the creation and management of producer groups, offering comprehensive support in areas such as agricultural consulting, legal and financial services, and assistance with national and EU subsidies.Operating in sectors including pig production, cattle fattening, and crop cultivation, AgroIntegracja provides farmers with tools to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen their market position. Its activities in Kuklinów contribute to the development of sustainable and innovative agriculture, combining modern solutions with strong regional farming traditions.
Bogusław Prałat farm
Bogusław Prałat operates a modern, dynamically developing agricultural farm located in Nowa Wieś, in the Wielkopolska region. The farm covers around 100 hectares and is primarily focused on pig production, managing nearly 300 sows in a closed-cycle system. In recent years, the farm has invested in innovative and sustainable solutions, including a biogas plant, which supports energy efficiency and environmentally friendly production.
8:30 a.m.
Lung health in fattening pigs: Impacts on meat quality and economic losses
Dr. Paulina Przyborowska, Agricultural University of Olsztyn
9:10 a.m.
Sponsor speech – topic t.b.c.
9:30 a.m.
Sponsor speech – topic t.b.c
9:45 a.m.
Sponsor speech – topic t.b.c
10:00 a.m. | Start Excursion – Part II
Excursion – Part II – Group A
| 10:30 - 12:00 start from Andersia Hotel Zakrzewo |
| 12:00 - 1:30 visit of TERRAEXIM AGROIMPEX - Zakrzewo |
| 1:30 - 2:30 start from Zakrzewo to Poznań |
| 2:30 - 4:00 visit of Poznan Agricultural University of Animal Welfare and Health Center - Poznań |
| 4:00 - 5:00 back to Andersia Hotel |
Excursion – Part II – Group B
| 10:30 - 12:00 start from Andersia Hotel to University |
| 12:00 - 1:30 visit of Poznan Agricultural University of Animal Welfare and Health Center - Poznań |
| 1:30 - 2:30 start from Poznań to Zakrzewo |
| 2:30 - 4:00 visit of TERRAEXIM AGROIMPEX - Zakrzewo |
| 4:00 - 5:00 back to Andersia Hotel |
Poznan Agricultural University of Animal Welfare and Health Center
The University Center for Animal Welfare and Health in Poznań is a modern research facility of the Poznań University of Life Sciences, designed to advance cutting-edge studies in animal welfare, veterinary medicine, biology, and preclinical research. The center features state-of-the-art laboratories, animal housing units, imaging and diagnostic facilities, and specialized teaching and research spaces. Its mission is to support innovative, interdisciplinary work that enhances animal health, promotes sustainable husbandry practices, and addresses climate-related challenges. Serving as a hub of scientific collaboration, the center brings together experts from diverse research fields and works closely with industry partners. It aims to translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions for animal care, environmental protection, and public health, positioning itself as one of Poland’s leading institutions in animal welfare research.
Congress participants will take part in lung anatomopathology workshops using the CLP application.
Day 1:
Poznań from a bird's eye view
ride on the historic „Cucamber” bus or on the historic „Bimba tram” (ca. 1h)
and
Old Brewery seesighting with tour guide (ca. 1 h)
Retro Bus Tour around Poznań
Hop on the iconic “Cucumber” Bus Jelcz 43 from the 60’s and join us on a 1-hour ride around Poznań retro style. Our guide – dressed in a uniform from the era – will familiarise you with the local culture and the highlights of the city. To keep you busy and entertained, each passenger will get a gift pack with “symbols of Poznan” – souvenirs of small size, but great importance for the locals. We will be unpacking the it as we go at specific locations. Keep in mind – the bus will be loud, the ride might be bumpy, but the whole tour will certainly be great fun!
The Old Brewery
The next stop on the itinerary will be Stary Browar, literally the Old Brewery. Though not a functioning brewery any more, today it is still one-of-a-kind location. It’s a shopping mall and art gallery in one, envisioned and created by Grażyna Kulczyk, once the richest woman in Poland. Our guide will show you the visible as well as the hidden: the greatest sculptures and works of art placed in plan view, and the little hidden gems and nuances that normally go unobserved. Great tour not only for architecture lovers and art enthusiasts.
Day 2:
Discovery to the beginning of Poland and middle aged Poznan
Seesighting of Ostrow Tumski with first polish cathedral and the next walking to Old Market and seesighting connected with culinary experience – Biesiada po Poznańsku - Poznan Feast Tour (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Cathedral Island
On that day our destination will be the Cathedral Island – the place dating back to the very beginnings of Poland over one thousand years ago. It is here that the first Polish Cathedral was built in the 10th C., which is still standing in the same place. Moreover, it is this very cathedral where the fist Polish king Bolesław the Brave was buried in 1025. We will explore the Cathedral crypts and the remains of the 10th C. structure. We will try to explain how the first Christians were baptised there, what the first Cathedral looked like, and eventually who destroyed it and why. We will literally be digging to the very roots of Poland ten centuries ago.
Poznań Feast Tour
Hop on your horse, put on your noble fur cap and ride with us to the 17th C. Poznań. Our guide will none other than Pan Skórzewski – a local nobleman, the Grand Steward of the Castle Wines. He will take you to three local restaurants and serve (with the help of his servants naturally) three iconic meals of the local cuisine. You will learn to properly treat the local Grodziskie Beer, to properly name the dishes, and to properly behave at the table to reflect your noble status. Amazingly humorous yet informative tour of local cuisine with city sightseeing between the restaurants. And do come hungry – the plates will be full.
Day 3:
Treasures of Poznan district
| 8:45 | start from Andersia Hotel |
| 9:45 | Kórnik Castle |
| 10:15 - 12:00 | tour in Kórnik Castle |
| 12:15 | lunch |
| 1:30 | trip to Rogalin Castle |
| 2:45 - 4:00 | tour in Rogalin Castle |
| 4:00 | back to Andersia Hotel |
Kórnik Castle and boat cruise
Kórnik – a small town near Poznań is famous for its attraction – the 19th C. the Kórnik Castle. Formerly a residence of the Działyński’s noble family, it is unique among other such castles in Poland for the fact that the interiors have remained unchanged – literally the way there were left by its last inhabitants. You will see valuable and richly ornamented furniture from 16h and 17th C., numerous works of art including paintings, many showing key moments in Polish history. The armoury collection is one-of-a kind with some of the original exhibits dating back to medieval times.
Next we will jump on a motor boat and sail across Kórnickie Lake to enjoy the magnificent open view and the pleasant scent of spring lake. We will finish the cruise with a dinner in one of the local restaurants.
Rogalin Palace
Last but not least, we will head to the Rogalin Palace, the former residence of the Raczyński’s family. We will explore the Palace interiors, much more spacious than in Kórnik, with a magnificent library furnished with wooden shelves covering the walls from top to bottom. We will go on a stroll around the palace park to see the famous age-old oaks, the biggest being 800 years old. Those oaks have inspired numerous acclaimed paintings stored in galleries all over Poland and are now the hallmark and magnet attraction country wide.
