Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 26, As of October 1, 2025, Moldova's pig population was estimated at 296,000 head by the National Bureau of Statistics, reflecting a decline of nearly 30 percent compared to the same period in 2024.

The reduction is mainly linked to multiple African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks that affected several large-scale farms during the year. Between January 1 and October 1, 2025, the Moldovan Food Safety Agency recorded 18 separate ASF incidents.

In August 2025 alone, veterinary authorities culled approximately 7,000 pigs at affected sites. Pork production for the first nine months of 2025 fell by around 15 percent year-on-year.

The early 2025 outbreaks at two major producers, Golden Piglet and Porco Bello, were particularly severe. These operations previously supplied about half of Moldova’s industrial pig output and lost a combined total of roughly 105,000 animals. The closures have significantly reduced processing capacity at local meat plants.

Evgeniy Salkutsan, chairman of the Moldovan meat processors' association, noted that restoring full production at the affected farms will require extensive sanitary upgrades, importation of replacement piglets, and the establishment of new supply arrangements—a process that may take several years.

Domestic pork prices have risen noticeably as a result of the reduced supply. Current retail prices range from MDL 95 to MDL 120 per kilogram (approximately EUR 4.9 to EUR 6.2), compared with MDL 75 to MDL 80 (EUR 3.8 to EUR 4.1) in June 2025.

To maintain operations, Moldovan meat processing companies are expected to increase imports of pork from European Union countries, including Spain, Poland, and Romania, in the coming period.