The African swine fever virus (ASF) has been confirmed in two further domestic pig herds in the southern district of Groß-Gerau. The farms had 17 and 170 pigs in their herds according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Due to the current situation following the ASF outbreak, authorities are requiring all pig farms in the region to check their herds daily for signs of disease and to report these immediately to the district veterinary office. One dead animal was reported in the smaller herd. On the larger farm, the owner noticed that some of his animals were noticeably weak and were increasingly trying to cool themselves, suggesting a fever. The district veterinary office immediately took samples, which were confirmed positive by the state laboratory that evening. Both herds of pigs had to be culled for disease control reasons.

The outbreak is concentrated in the southern district of Groß-Gerau.

The repeated outbreaks in domestic pig herds are highly concentrated regionally and illustrate the enormously high viral load in the Knoblochsaue and Kühkopf area. The high viral load was predicted by the EU veterinary mission, which visited Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate two weeks ago to assess the crisis work on the ground. However, it also shows that the authorities have had success in preventing the spread to neighboring regions so far. This is why it is so important that the entire population adheres to the current restrictions to limit the spread of the disease as regionally as possible in the future.

On the one hand, this applies to citizens who are called upon to stay off paths in open areas and to keep their dogs on a lead. On the other hand, it also applies to farmers, who must ensure that their fields and farmland are free of live and dead wild boar before using machinery and must obtain approval for their work from the relevant veterinary authorities. All pig farms must comply with the strictest biosecurity measures and continually monitor their herds.

Total pork production in the first half of the year reached 380,925 tons, an increase of 2.7% compared to the same period of the previous year.

In June, 64,709 tons were produced, down 0.3% compared to the same month of 2023 and down 11.6% from May.

Average carcass weights for June were 98 kg, up 2.1% compared to the same month of the previous year and unchanged from May. Castrated males and immunocastrated males weighed 97 kg and 102 kg, respectively on average.

According to preliminary statistics from the General Department of Customs, imports of animal feed and raw materials to Vietnam in June 2024 decreased by 4% compared to May 2024 but increased by 4.5% compared to June 2023, reaching 423.75 million USD.

Overall, in the first 6 months of 2024, imports of this product group reached over 2.56 billion USD, an increase of 9.6% compared to the first 6 months of 2023.

The largest import of animal feed and raw materials is from the Argentine market, accounting for 28% of the country's total import turnover of this product group, reaching nearly 717.79 million USD, an increase of 21% compared to the first 6 months of 2023.

Ranked second is the United States market, accounting for 22.8%, reaching 582.96 million USD, a sharp increase of 69.6% over the same period in 2023.

Next is the Brazilian market, in the first 6 months of 2024 imports from this market reached over 371.76 million USD, accounting for 14.5% of total turnover, an increase of 15.2% compared to the first 6 months of 2023.