The European Pigmeat Reflection Group is working to find solutions to the problems this sector faces, the European Commission confirmed on Tuesday 10 May.
The European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture has discussed the work of this expert group, which could present recommendations in January 2023.
The sector is highly dependent on exports to third countries and imports of animal feed.
African swine fever is “gaining ground” in the EU.
The Commission will make proposals to encourage an increase in the production of plant proteins in Europe, as some countries are too dependent on soybeans imported from third countries.
Strategic plans implementing the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) may contain measures to support the sector.
The Commission is also working on a “scoreboard” that will provide more information on the structure of input costs.
In terms of diversification of outlets, exports to South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines have risen sharply, “but this is not enough to compensate for the sharp fall in exports to China”, according to the Commission.
Finally, it noted a sharp rise in the price of pigmeat since March (+45%), but this is offset by rising input costs. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)