Estonia loses 10% of pigs to ASF since start of 2025
Estonia faces its worst ASF outbreak in years, losing 25,000 pigs (10% of the herd) in 2025. Pork exports (€22M in 2024) are at risk. Viljandi is under strict lockdown (Zone III), with similar measures in parts of Croatia, Romania, Italy, Poland, and Hungary. Finland has increased border checks.
Wild boar populations are playing a major role in the outbreak with numbers well above recommended levels complicating containment efforts.
Commission proposes CMO updates
The proposal includes several elements, with the main goal to address current challenges for farmers, including market volatility, climate stress, and geopolitical instability. The reforms include proposals on:
- EU School Scheme
- Marketing Standards
- Protection of meat-related terms
- Sectoral interventions
- Protein Crops Support
Worst wildfires in EU history as drought conditions spread
The EU faces its worst wildfire season, with over 1 million hectares burned, surpassing the size of Cyprus. Experts blame rural exodus, abandoned farmland, and insufficient prevention measures. The EU Drought Observatory reports ongoing drought conditions from western France to the Balkans, heavily affecting agriculture.
Lithuania & Latvia declare agriculture emergency after crops damaged by rain
Lithuania declared a national emergency after heavy rainfall damaged 50-70% of its agricultural harvest, with flooded fields preventing crop collection and reducing quality. Latvia also declared an emergency due to similar issues.
MHP acquires 92% of the shares of UVESA
Major Ukrainian poultry business, MHP, has acquired more than 92% of the share capital of Grupo UVESA, one of the leading vertically integrated poultry and pork producers in Spain. MHP now controls the core processes and operational activities of the company, and marks an expansion of MHP’s presence of MHP’s in the EU.
