Estonian pork producers selling at a loss amid cheap imports

A year after a large outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), Estonian pork producers are again struggling. Although farms disinfected their facilities and resumed operations after the outbreak, an influx of cheap meat from other European countries has pushed prices so low that many producers are selling below production cost, forcing several small farms to shut down.

Valmar Haava, executive director of Saimre Agro Grupp, said that fully halting production is not something that can simply be reversed later — restarting would be costly and time-consuming. He noted the company has no trouble finding buyers, as it has reliable long-term partners, but sales still happen at a loss.

Meat processors also feel the impact

The effects of last year's outbreak are only now reaching the meat processing industry, as emptied pig farms created a months-long gap in raw material supply. Ragnar Loova, head of meat producer Nõo Lihatööstus, explained that the hardest-hit farms were those whose output was due to reach the market in early or mid-2026, meaning recovery has taken longer than expected.

The decline in pig numbers is also hurting related businesses, including feed producers facing reduced orders. Meelis Laande, board member of Atria Farmide, said falling volumes are driving up service costs, which in turn raises the overall cost of pork production.

Self-sufficiency drops to around 60%

Laande added that Estonia's self-sufficiency in pork, which stood at 70-80% last year, has now fallen to around 60%, meaning the market cannot function without imported meat.

Estonia's Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture is looking for ways to compensate pig farmers' losses, with plans to direct long-term funding toward rebuilding and expanding production. Madis Pärtel, the ministry's deputy secretary general for bioeconomy, said the government has already approved 14 million euros this year to help increase pork production and build new farms, and that talks with the European Commission are needed since the issue extends beyond Estonia.

While consumers say they prefer local pork, cheaper imported meat often wins out at the store shelf.