Hog producers in Germany were faced with a combination of plant shutdowns as a result of COVID-19 and a decline in exports following cases of African swine fever in wild boars. Following modifications to ventilation systems and imposition of control measures, hog-packing plants have resumed production and are accepting German-raised hogs notwithstanding higher than normal live weights.
An association representing farmers (VEZG) noted that in some regions marketing is again normal but due to processing restraints, there is a surplus of live hogs. Following the ban on exports from Germany by China, as a result of ASF in free-living wild boars, other European nations including the U.K. and Denmark displaced German exports although this nation has been able to establish new markets in the EU.