Romanian pig industry faces deepening financial crisis
A surge in pork imports has pushed wholesale prices in Romania to record lows, leaving most domestic producers operating at a loss. That was reported by the online platform digi24, citing the Association of Pork Producers in Romania.
Local producers said they are being squeezed by an influx of imported pork, partly linked to the African Swine Fever (ASF) situation in Spain, which has redirected supply onto the Romanian market. Wholesale pork prices have fallen to around 4.5 lei/kg (€0.88), well below estimated production costs of 6.57 lei/kg (€1.29).
“Farmers cannot continue to operate at a loss indefinitely and this will inevitably lead to a decline in production,” said Dr Adrian Balaban, president of the Association of Pork Producers in Romania. Dr Balaban said that the average Romanian pig farmer has been selling below cost price for more than 20 consecutive weeks, putting severe strain on cash flows and raising concerns over the sector’s short-term viability.
Half of farms at risk
In a worst-case scenario, farmers warn that nearly half of Romania’s pig farms could suspend operations during the summer months. Such a development would further undermine the country’s already fragile food security, digi24 reported. Romania is a net importer of pork, and any additional drop in domestic output would deepen its reliance on foreign supplies.
Producers have called for urgent government support to stabilise the sector, though no final decision on potential aid measures has been announced so far.
ASF situation stable domestically
On a more positive note, Romania appears to have its domestic ASF situation under control.
In 2026, veterinary authorities have recorded 24 outbreaks of the disease in backyard farms and wild boar populations, but no commercial pig farms have been affected to date.
While this has helped prevent further production losses, industry participants say it has not been enough to offset the pressure from low market prices and rising import volumes.
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