Poland: Livestock Production under Pressure from ASF and Low Feed Stocks

Post estimates that swine inventories will decrease by 1 percent in 2018 due to low farm-gate prices and growing feed costs stemming from the 2018 drought. Swine inventories will continue to decline in 2019, because of reduced feed supplies during the first half of the year. Swine production remains under pressure from African swine fever (ASF), which continues to spread in Poland’s eastern and central regions. Through October 31, 2018, 2,961 cases of ASF were reported in wild boars and 213 cases among domestic pigs. Pork production in 2018 will increase by 4 percent as a result of higher slaughter. 2018 piglet imports from Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands will continue to grow because of insufficient domestic production. Cattle inventories will increase in 2018 by about 1 percent, driven mainly by an increase in Poland’s dairy herd. Beef production will increase by 3 percent in 2018 because of higher cattle inventories and expanding beef slaughter.

Poland: Livestock Production under Pressure from ASF and Low Feed Stocks