Poland's Transformation Offers Lessons for the Future of European Pig Production
European Pig Producers Congress 2026: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities
More than 250 pig producers and industry representatives from 18 countries gathered at the European Pig Producers (EPP) Congress 2026 from 20 to 22 May to discuss the future of pig production in Europe. Hosted this year in Poland, the congress provided a timely opportunity to examine how one of Europe's most dynamic agricultural markets is responding to economic, regulatory and animal health challenges while positioning itself for future growth.
The choice of Poland as host country was particularly significant. As the partner country of the International Farmers' Day at EuroTier 2026, Poland occupied a central place in discussions on how European pig production is changing and where future growth opportunities may emerge.
Europe's Pig Production Landscape Continues to Shift
Congress speakers highlighted how profoundly European pig production has changed over the past two decades. The geographical balance of production within the European Union has shifted considerably, with Spain emerging as the clear winner. Between 2006 and 2025, Spain expanded its pig population by 46 percent, while several traditional producing countries recorded declines.
During the same period, pig numbers fell by 5 percent in Denmark, 8 percent in the Netherlands, 17 percent in Belgium, and 20 percent in both Germany and France.
In Germany, participants noted that stricter regulations and growing societal expectations have accelerated structural change. Denmark continues to lead in genetics, efficiency and piglet exports, while Dutch production remains highly productive but constrained by environmental regulations.
Against this backdrop, Poland attracted particular attention as a country undergoing a profound transformation.
From Decline to Professionalization
The Polish pig sector has experienced dramatic changes since the country's accession to the European Union in 2004. Following several crises, including market volatility and animal health challenges, Poland's pig population declined by 47 percent, falling from approximately 19 million animals to around 9 million in 2023.
The structural transformation on farms was even more striking. The number of pig producers declined by 86 percent, from 315,000 to approximately 43,000 farms. Sow numbers also dropped significantly, decreasing by 66 percent.
As a result, Poland's self-sufficiency in pork production fell from 101 percent to 87 percent, turning the country into a net importer of pork. This trend was reflected in rapidly increasing piglet imports from Denmark, which rose by 203 percent between 2013 and 2025 to almost 7.8 million animals annually.
Yet speakers repeatedly emphasized that these figures tell only part of the story.
While the number of farms declined sharply, the sector simultaneously became more professional and efficient. Average herd size increased by 294 percent, rising from 54 to 213 pigs per farm. Despite the dramatic reduction in farm numbers, slaughterings increased by 13 percent, demonstrating significant gains in productivity and consolidation.
Three Business Models Shaping the Sector
Participants described a Polish industry that now operates through three distinct production models:
- Vertically integrated production systems
- Horizontally integrated cooperatives
- Independent producers
Today, vertically integrated systems account for more than 40 percent of production and offer farmers greater protection from market volatility.
At the same time, Polish agriculture remains highly fragmented. Around 1.2 million farms operate across the country, with an average farm size of 11.4 hectares. However, only around 300,000 farms are considered commercially market-oriented, illustrating both the complexity of the sector and the significant potential for further modernization.
About the European Pig Producers (EPP)
The European Pig Producers (EPP) is a network of leading pig farmers dedicated to sharing experience and expertise across borders.
The EPP Club was founded in 1990 in Herning, Denmark. Today, it has grown to include over 600 members from 22 countries.
Further information: www.pigproducer.net
African Swine Fever Remains the Greatest Threat
Animal health featured prominently throughout the congress programme.
African Swine Fever (ASF) continues to pose the most immediate challenge to the Polish pig sector. By May 2026, authorities had already reported 1,081 ASF outbreaks in wild boar.
Speakers stressed that ASF increases the importance of biosecurity, monitoring and disease prevention measures. In severe cases, outbreaks can lead to the culling of entire herds. The associated costs place particular pressure on smaller producers, accelerating structural change as some farms struggle to finance the required investments in biosecurity infrastructure.
Market Volatility and Regulatory Pressure
Beyond animal health, producers discussed growing uncertainty in global markets.
Volatile feed and pork prices continue to affect profitability, while developments in China's pig sector increasingly influence European market conditions. Spain's large production volumes exert additional pressure on prices within the EU.
Geopolitical developments, including the war in Ukraine and conflicts in other regions, have contributed to higher costs for grain, fertilizer and energy, adding further challenges for producers.
Looking ahead, speakers identified several additional factors likely to shape the sector's future, including implementation of the EU Green Deal, changing consumer preferences, growing animal welfare expectations, new trade agreements such as Mercosur, potential restrictions on animal transport and the often lengthy permitting processes required for new livestock facilities.
Why Poland May Become Increasingly Important
Despite these challenges, congress participants expressed considerable optimism about Poland's long-term potential.
The country benefits from nearly 15 million hectares of arable land, a strong grain-producing base, increasing investment activity and a highly entrepreneurial agricultural culture. These advantages create a solid foundation for future growth and modernization.
One example highlighted during the congress was Goodvalley, which operates an integrated production system encompassing 20,000 sows across 28 locations. The company slaughters approximately 13,500 pigs per week in its own processing facilities and operates seven biogas plants that generate sufficient electricity to meet operational demand.
The closed-loop system combines crop production, feed manufacturing, livestock production, biogas generation and nutrient recycling, helping to improve resource efficiency while reducing emissions.
A Common Message from the Congress
Across the various sessions and discussions, a consistent message emerged.
Europe's future competitiveness is unlikely to be determined by production volume alone. Instead, participants argued that the continent's strengths lie in areas such as food safety, animal health, genetics, technical expertise, innovation and sustainability.
Poland's ongoing transformation was widely seen as a demonstration of how a sector can adapt through consolidation, investment and modernization.
As delegates departed Poznań, many agreed that the future success of European pig production will depend on balancing economic viability, societal acceptance and environmental performance. In that context, a more modern, professional and integrated Polish pig sector could become an increasingly important pillar of European pig production in the years ahead.
