64 ROTECNA WORLD by Rotecna, s.a.

The Spanish swine sector continues to face signi cant health challenges. Five years after the emergence of the Rosalía strain of PRRS, the industry has advanced markedly in biosecurity, herd management, and epidemiological surveillance. Even so, both PRRS and the constant threat posed by ASF (African swine fever) remind us of a simple truth: prevention is the most effective tool. Now more than ever, the industry needs a strong, coordinated animal-health framework that protects farms, maintains consumer con dence, and reinforces Spain’s leadership in pork production.

As part of our commitment to the sector, we continue to actively participate in highly relevant international forums and trade fairs, thereby strengthening our ties with producers, institutions, and strategic partners. At a time when innovation, sustainability, and animal welfare are shaping the future of swine production, Latin America has become a key arena for Rotecna thanks to its dynamism and substantial growth potential. Over the summer, the company took part in two of the region’s standout gatherings: the CIPORC Congress in Peru and the Infopork 2025 Forum in Córdoba (Argentina). These meetings enabled us to share innovative proposals, raise brand visibility, and explore new avenues for collaboration in a strategic market.

Our goal remains to anticipate the sector’s future challenges and deliver effective solutions, with a rm commitment to incorporating cutting-edge technologies that ensure sustainable, competitive growth.

Antonio Pinos, CEO, Rotecna.

September 2025

4. Rotecna News

Rotecna strengthens its presence in Latin America through major swine industry forums.

6. Something About

The Medieval Market of Vic: A journey back in time to the heart of Catalonia.

8. Technology

TR6D & TR7D, double‑sided dry feeders for weaned pigs.

10. Global Pig

Carlos Pitty: “The SF3D’s design has proven to improve the feed conversion ratio”.

14. Future News

PRRS Rosalía: What have we learned in these five years?

18. Pig Production in...

Italy’s swine sector: An economic engine.

Rotecna World

Director: Antonio Pinos.

Editor: Francisco García, Tamara Lombardo.

Translation: Sam Smith.

Print: Imprenta Barnola.

L‑41‑2007

Rotecna's World's editors accept no liability for contributor's opinion.

DIGITAL VERSION /issuu.com/rotecnapress

ROTECNA STRENGTHENS ITS PRESENCE IN LATIN AMERICA THROUGH MAJOR SWINE INDUSTRY FORUMS

Participation in CIPORC and Infopork 2025 reinforces the company’s visibility and opens new opportunities for collaboration.

Being present at the most relevant international forums is key to reinforcing Rotecna’s positioning and consolidating its relationships with producers, institutions, and strategic partners. At a time when innovation, sustainability, and animal welfare are shaping the future of the swine sector, Latin America has become an essential stage for the company, both for its dynamism and for the considerable growth potential it offers, as well as for the increasing demand for modern, efficient, and responsible production systems.

Throughout the summer, Rotecna took part in two of the region’s most notable events: the CIPORC Congress in Peru and the Infopork 2025 Forum in Córdoba (Argentina). Both gatherings made it possible to share innovative proposals, strengthen brand visibility, and open new avenues for collaboration in a strategic market.

CIPORC

The International Swine Congress (CIPORC) has consolidated its status as a benchmark technical and scientific event for the sector in Latin America. This year, Rotecna participated actively through its Commercial Director, Óscar Toledano, who presented solutions focused on sustainability and environmental management on swine farms, while also emphasizing innovation and efficiency as fundamental drivers of progress.

In his presentation, Toledano highlighted the value of the Tecnapur system, designed by Rotecna to reduce emissions and optimise the use of slurry. This technology enables farms to manage resources more efficiently and move toward more sustainable production that respects the environment without compromising competitiveness.

Oscar Toledano in his speech at CIPORC . Photo: Rotecna.

The presentation drew strong interest among attendees, who were able to see firsthand how technological innovation can help address growing regulatory and social demands around sustainability.

Infopork 2025

Rotecna’s Latin American agenda continued in Córdoba (Argentina) with participation in the Infopork 2025 Forum, a meeting point that brought together experts, business leaders, and institutional representatives.

This edition focused on three main themes: the application of new technologies, momentum for animal welfare, and competitiveness as a driver of growth. Rotecna shared its experience in developing innovative solutions that enhance productivity and respond to these trends, reaffirming its position as a strategic partner for producers in the region.

In addition, the forum provided an ideal space to strengthen ties with clients and collaborators and to identify new opportunities in a constantly evolving market.

Autumn brings more events

Rotecna’s commitment to outreach and innovation does not stop there. In the coming months, the company will continue its international agenda by attending major events such as 333 Lleida, which this year has a new format designed to offer participants a unique, holistic experience structured around three key tracks: farm managers and human resources, technical challenges across the sector, and the current state of the pork market. Its Latin American counterpart, 333 Latam, will further strengthen ties with producers and technicians in the region, and Porciforum Latam is gaining prominence as a forum to debate the significant challenges pork production on the continent faces.

These events will be an opportunity to reaffirm Rotecna’s commitment to innovation and sustainability and to consolidate its function as a worldwide authority in technology applied to swine production, while strengthening alliances, promoting knowledge exchange, and presenting solutions to address current and future challenges of the industry.

Rotecna shared its experience in developing innovative solutions at Infopork. Photo: Rotecna.

SOMETHING ABOUT

THE MEDIEVAL MARKET OF VIC: A JOURNEY BACK IN TIME TO THE HEART OF CATALONIA

Vic’s historic streets come alive with medieval music, markets, and feasts.

Every year in early December, the city of Vic, the capital of the Osona region, transforms into a scene that could have been lifted from a history book. For several days, its cobbled streets, squares, and centuries‑old buildings host the Medieval Fair, one of Catalonia’s most symbolic events, where medieval life returns in all its splendour. With more than two decades of history, the event has become an essential cultural event that attracts thousands of visitors from across the country and even from abroad.

A city with a medieval soul

Vic being chosen as the venue for this celebration is no accident. Its well‑preserved old town, rich in architectural heritage, provides the perfect stage for an authentic historical recreation. Narrow lanes, walls, churches, and arcaded squares form an urban fabric that makes immersion in a medieval atmosphere effortless.

During the Fair, which usually coincides with Spain’s early December holiday weekend, the entire historic centre adopts a period aesthetic: modern signage disappears, contemporary shop windows are hidden, and hundreds of medieval market stalls are set up offering handicrafts, traditional foods, and unique items made as they once were.

Performances for all the senses

What makes Vic’s Medieval Market far more than a themed bazaar is its ambitious program of cultural and performing‑arts events. Throughout the day, the streets fill with itinerant characters, medieval musicians, jesters, acrobats, dancers, and troubadours, who perform outdoors, many of them free of charge.

Another highlight is the series of historical re‑enactments: knightly combat, sword

Medieval performers animate the streets of Vic.

tournaments, soldiers’ parades, inquisitorial trials, and staged scenes of daily medieval life. The authenticity of the costumes, sets, and language is striking, the result of cooperation among professional actors, cultural associations, and local volunteers.

Children also have their place. The Fair features a dedicated area with workshops, period games, and shows specifically designed for them, making the market an ideal family outing.

Crafts and gastronomy

One of the Fair’s main attractions is its artisan market, which brings together more than 300 stalls from all over Catalonia and other parts of the Iberian Peninsula. Visitors will find carved wood, leather goods, ceramics, blown glass, traditional musical instruments, natural soaps, candles, organic cosmetics, and many other unique items made using time‑honoured techniques.

Culinarily, the Medieval Market of Vic is a true feast for the senses. Amid smoke and spiced aromas, visitors can sample dishes typical of medieval or rustic‑inspired cuisine: grilled lamb, artisan sausages (including the famous llonganissa de Vic), breads made from ancient grains, hearty soups, aged cheeses, nuts, honey,

Arabic sweets, mulled wine, and mead, among many other delicacies.

Many stalls cook on the spot in clay ovens or over open‑air coals, adding to the ambience and offering an authentic, multisensory gastronomic experience.

A bridge between the past and the present

Beyond spectacle and commerce, the Medieval Market of Vic serves a deeper function: the retrieval of collective historical memory. Through play, art, and participation, it encourages familiarity with cultural heritage, brings traditions closer to new generations, and reclaims a past that remains alive in Catalonia’s imagination.

The Fair also reflects contemporary values such as local consumption, respect for traditional crafts, and connection to one’s roots. In an era defined by the digital and the immediate, the Fair invites visitors to slow down, look back, and reconnect with what is truly essential.

The Medieval Market of Vic is not just a tourist event but a celebration of living history, a meeting place where past and present converse playfully and compellingly.

Performers bring Vic’s medieval streets to life with music, dance, and theatrical flair.

TR6D & TR7D

TR7D

TR6D

Using dry feeders in pig production offers multiple advantages that help improve ef ciency and animal welfare.

Dry feeders are very easy to adjust and allow uniform, continuous feed distribution. They reduce waste and enable pigs to access feed at any time, which eases adaptation to compound feed, reduces competitive stress, and promotes more natural behaviour.

To respond to trends across production markets and to the needs of managing large pens, Rotecna has expanded its range of double‑sided dry feeders with the TR6D and TR7D models.

These feeders are designed specifically for weaned piglets and provide a robust, practical, and efficient system for feeding large numbers of animals. With six or seven feeding spaces per side, they can feed 48–84 piglets simultaneously, facilitating feeding in large pens and optimising day‑to‑day management on the farm.

Precise, independent adjustment for total control

The TR6D and TR7D feature a “sandwich” mechanism that allows precise, one‑handed flow adjustment across ten positions. Transitions from one setting to another are quick and accurate—even when the hopper is full—thanks

DOUBLE-SIDED DRY

FEEDERS FOR WEANED PIGS

FEATURES

Easy regulation even with a full hopper.

to a protected slide that moves smoothly without interfering with the feed.

In addition, each side of the feeder can be adjusted independently, a crucial feature when pens hold piglets of different sizes or numbers on each side, or when temporarily restricting feeding on one side. This flexibility enhances efficiency and control by adapting to various production situations.

Fast piglet adaptation

The feeders’ height gives piglets easy access to feed, helping them adapt quickly to the new diet. Functional design with deflectors supports uniform flow of mash or pellets without requiring piglets to manipulate mechanisms, promoting a more natural, continuous intake. V‑shaped mouths allow pigs at the ends to stand diagonally so they can eat comfortably without disturbing others, avoiding fights and feed waste.

Finally, the feeders’ maximum capacity (250L) ensures a continuous supply, reducing refill frequency and helping maintain a more stable, calmer feeding environment.

• Large capacity, with deflectors that promote smooth feed flow.

• Precise, easy‑to‑use ten‑position adjustment.

• “Sandwich” slide mechanism for simple handling, even when full.

• Independent regulation for each side.

• Rounded pans with no corners where feed can accumulate.

• Anti‑waste pan rims.

BENEFITS

• Maximises feed intake and minimises waste, thus optimising costs.

• Speeds piglet adaptation to solid feed.

• Robust, compact, and durable system.

• Smooth feed movement without caves or blockages.

• Ideal for starter diets and manual feeding.

• Simplifies cleaning and disinfection, improving biosecurity.

GLOBAL PIG

CARLOS PITTY: “THE SF3D ’S DESIGN HAS PROVEN TO IMPROVE THE FEED CONVERSION RATIO”

Importadora de Insumos de Panamá has trusted Rotecna for over three decades to improve ef ciency and welfare on its pig farms. In its most recent expansion, a fattening unit for 660 pigs, the company again opted for the quality and durability of Rotecna’s products. This time, it installed SF3D feeders, designed to meet the demands of today’s genetics, and polypropylene panels that improve hygiene and maintenance under Panama’s demanding climatic conditions. We spoke with engineer and company lead Carlos Pitty about the installation, the reasons behind his technical decisions, and his view of the swine sector in Panama.

What is the origin of this farm?

Toza Farm is a fattening unit that forms part of Importadora de Insumos de Panamá’s leading site. The latest expansion responded to the need to increase capacity, incorporating a

Importadora de Insumos de Panamá has built a new fattening farm with capacity for 660 animals, equipped with the SF3D feeder and Rotecna panels.

new building with space for 660 animals. Its design accounted for Panama’s climate—high temperatures, high humidity, and a long rainy season lasting roughly nine months. To address the challenges of fattening pigs, we have chosen to integrate Rotecna technology, which has delivered excellent results here for over 30 years.

How is it laid out?

The facility has seven barns arranged to make animal handling efficient. Each barn is equipped with automated feeding systems, SF3D feeders, and plastic partition panels. The array of pens within the barns supports homogeneous groups, which improves feeding efficiency and sanitary control.

Why choose the SF3D feeder?

Over time, genetic progress has significantly changed animals’ nutritional needs. We initially

Carlos Pitty in his office in Panama. Photo: Carlos Pitty.

used the Grow Feeder, but as more efficient lines have developed, pigs have a greater appetite and grow faster. Feeders designed 30 years ago do not always meet current demands. Planning for the long‑term, because when you build a farm, you plan decades, even if “tomorrow” arrives sooner than expected, we opted for the SF3D. We believe it aligns with the demands of the coming years. The feeder offers high availability of both wet and dry feed, a significant advantage even in Panama’s high‑humidity environment. It also enables better feed utilisation by the animal, improving FCR and contributing to overall farm performance.

How quickly do animals adapt to the feeder?

Quickly. Pigs arriving here come from sites where they have already been fed with feeders such as the TR4 and TR7D. That progressive transition between models makes learning easier and significantly reduces stress associated with equipment changes, ensuring steady intake from day one. In addition, the feeder’s design has demonstrated an improvement in FCR, optimising feed use and

contributing to more efficient, profitable production.

You also installed Rotecna panels. What advantages do they provide?

This is the first time we have incorporated Rotecna panels, and the experience so far has been very positive. What stood out immediately was the ease and speed of installation and the high level of cleanliness they maintain. In Panama, cement dividers or wire structures are commonly used, but they tend to corrode over time due to the high humidity. Concrete blocks also pose hygiene issues because their porous surface is hard to clean effectively. We chose to innovate with plastic panels and, after roughly four

months of use, have seen a clear improvement in overall hygiene. The panels’ smooth surfaces facilitate disinfection, resulting in improved sanitary conditions and more efficient daily cleaning.

What other Rotecna products are installed?

We have been working with Rotecna for over 30 years and have incorporated nearly the entire catalogue. One of the most innovative solutions was the Tecnapur solids separator, installed in two units, which significantly improved waste management and environmental performance. We also use the automatic feeding system, which has improved operational efficiency and optimised

Image of the new barn using SF3D. Photo: C. Pitty.

GLOBAL PIG

feed supply at each production stage. As for feeders, we historically used the Grow Feeder but have adopted models such as the TR2 over time to adapt to new genetics. We evaluate each new Rotecna launch because each feeder type can better suit certain phases or facility configurations. That flexibility lets us choose the most suitable solution for our specific needs.

Overall, what do you value about Rotecna?

We especially value Rotecna’s constant innovation, as well as the reliability and durability of its products, even under Panama’s demanding conditions of high humidity and heat. The technology fits the environment and the requirements of modern swine production. We also appreciate the ease of installation and maintenance, and the focus on biosecurity and animal welfare. For us, Rotecna is not just a supplier but a key technology partner in our productive evolution.

What are your main health concerns?

Panama remains relatively free of swine diseases, which is a significant advantage. Our primary concern is not so much the presence of disease as the lack of awareness among some producers about the importance of prevention. On our farms, we implement strict biosecurity: anti‑bird fencing, health controls at entrances, and other preventive measures to reduce pathogen entry. Many small and medium producers still do not apply these essentials, which threatens the entire national production system. Our biggest challenge is promoting a biosecurity culture at every level because the industry’s health depends on shared responsibility. Prevention is not a cost; it is a key investment for the sector’s sustainability and competitiveness.

What are the farm’s future goals?

Our short‑term goal is to expand installed capacity to allow for an additional week of feed availability, thereby maximising the animals’ weight‑gain curve. That would directly improve productive efficiency and per‑cycle profitability.

What is your view of Panama’s swine sector?

Panama competes in an open market against powerhouses like Brazil and the United States, which dominate the production of essential inputs such as corn and soy. This significantly raises our production costs, compounded by import tariffs. We are also concerned about the quality of imported meat, which in many cases has been stored for up to two years. This contrasts with fresh domestic beef, which offers better flavour, freshness, and food safety. The major challenge is educating consumers about these differences and promoting national products, not only for their quality but also for their positive impact on jobs and the local economy.

Pigs easily adapt to the Sf3D feeder. Photo: C. Pitty.

PRRS ROSALÍA: WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED IN THESE FIVE YEARS?

The Rosalía strain appeared in 2020 as a particularly virulent variant of PRRS, causing signi cant outbreaks and posing major challenges to Spanish pig production. Five years after those rst cases, Dr. Enric Mateu, veterinarian from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and expert in swine health, offers us an overview of the current situation and explains how the virus has evolved, its impact, and the lessons learned over this time.

How has the Rosalía strain evolved over the past ve years?

At this point, we can no longer speak of a single Rosalía strain. Over these five years, the virus has spread widely, undergone multiple recombinations, and experienced numerous changes in its genome. What we have now is a constellation of descendants of the origi‑ nal Rosalía strain, meaning a great deal of genetic diversification. However, there does not

Since its emergence in 2020, the Rosalía strain has redefined PRRS management in Spain, posing new challenges in surveillance, biosecurity, and health control.

appear to be a single predominant mutation or variant. This is largely due to the vi‑rus’s own replication mechanism, which introduces mutations with every new generation of viral particles. Considering that the Rosalía strain has infected millions of animals in a very short time, and that in each of those animals hundreds of billions of viral particles have been generated, the accumulated level of genetic variation is immense. What we are seeing now is not the emergence of a new dominant variant, but rather the expression of the full potential of genetic diversity that this strain had from the start.

What impact do we see now on its virulence compared to the initial outbreaks?

In general terms, current outbreaks seem less severe than those of three or four years ago. However, this apparent reduction in virulence is probably due less to changes in the virus itself than to the progressive development of immunity in the pig population. We must take into account that in regions such as Catalonia or Aragón, the proportion of infected farms is very high. This means that many farms already have a certain degree of herd immunity, which mitigates the clinical impact of new outbreaks.

Enric Mateu, PhD in Veterinary Medicine and expert in swine health. Photo: Enric Mateu.

Even so, we cannot generalize. Variants of Rosalía with virulence comparable to the original strain are still circulating, while others with more attenuated clinical behavior are also being detected.

What control and management strategies have proven most effective against Rosalía?

From a practical standpoint, changes in production flow have been among the most effec‑tive tools. Specifically, five‑week batch management has proven to have a positive impact on health stabilization. Many farms that have implemented this system have managed to significantly reduce viral circulation, although results are not immediate and, in many cases, the process takes close to a year. However, this strategy is not viable for all farms, especially those with structural or productive limitations. That is why other measures, more accessible but equally important, have also been key, such as reinforcing internal biosecurity, applying stricter work protocols, and maintaining strict discipline in daily management. A critical aspect is vaccination. Although its effect may be limited, it provides a basic level of immunity that helps cushion the impact of new infections.

Given the usefulness of vaccination, are there commercial vaccines that provide adequate protection against this strain?

The vaccines currently available on the market offer limited protection against the Rosalía strain, although it is always preferable to vaccinate than not to. Clinically, they can help reduce the severity of symptoms and maintain parameters such as growth and weight. However, their effectiveness in curbing virus transmission is very low. The main reason for this limitation is the genetic distance between the Rosalía strain and the vaccine strains

included in commercial formulations. Even so, it is worth stressing that vaccina‑tion remains a useful tool: although it does not guarantee full control of infection, it can help mitigate its effects and support health stabilization when combined with ot‑her management and biosecurity measures.

Compared to 2020, do we now see lower mortality thanks to improvements in management or infection control?

With Rosalía, certain aspects have become evident, especially in phases such as weaning and finishing, showing clearly that management plays a key role in reducing both trans‑mission and mortality. Although figures remain high, around 7–8% mortality in weaning and 5–6% in finishing, a reduction has been achieved by applying basic principles we already knew: not mixing batches, avoiding backward animal movements, implementing all‑in/all‑out systems, and maintaining thorough cleaning and disinfection of facilities. However, we have also seen that the presence of concurrent infections with other pathogens greatly

Current PRRS outbreaks appear less severe. Photo: Rotecna.

complicates control. Rosalía exacerbates these situations, adding an extra level of difficulty to health management.

Have more agile diagnostic tools been developed to assess immunity against Rosalía? This remains a complex field. The main challenge is that we still do not know precisely which parameters directly correlate with effective immunity against Rosalía. We can measure antibody levels or evaluate the cellular response, and while this data provides some guidance on the animal’s immune status, it does not allow us to predict with certainty whether it will be protected against infection. In short, we have tools that provide partial information, but not a clear immunological marker that can conclusively indicate the level of protection. Therefore, in this regard, we could say we have not advanced sig‑ nificantly compared to the situation in 2020.

What impact has this strain had on the perception of PRRS within the sector?

Some companies and professionals have been truly concerned and have taken serious measures to tackle the virus. However, there

is also a part of the sector that, without this implying a lack of interest, has not adequately valued the real impact of the disease. One factor influencing this perception has been the economic context. Prices have remained extraordinarily high, and one of the reasons has been precisely the animal shortage cau‑ sed by PRRS. In 2024, the average gain per slaughter pig was around 37€, providing a very wide margin. This has allowed farms to remain profitable even with high mortality, but it also creates the risk that the true extent of the health problem is not clearly perceived.

After ve years, what lessons has the swine sector learned?

In companies that have truly taken action, the way health is managed has changed signi‑ ficantly. Issues such as biosecurity, logistics organization, or animal movements are now approached differently, precisely because of the risk posed by this disease. The fact that many companies have chosen this path shows that they have become aware of the economic impact that a health problem of this magnitude can have, and this has helped generate greater awareness of the importance of health within the production process. It should also be noted that the Spanish swine sector has long struggled with making collective decisions and assuming shared responsibility. This lack of coordinated action has been one of the most evident weaknesses in PRRS management. Much of the virus’s initial spread was due to poor communication between operators, whether voluntary or involuntary. This is a lesson we should learn. Moreover, it would be desirable for the authorities to adopt a more active role and provide the legal or bureaucratic support needed so that the sector itself can implement more effective control measures.

Management plays a key role in reducing transmission of the virus.Photo: J.B.

PIG PRODUCTION IN

ITALY’S SWINE SECTOR: AN ECONOMIC ENGINE

With a herd of 8.7 million pigs, Italy’s swine sector must overcome challenges such as import dependence and ASF.

Italy has one of Europe’s most powerful and diversified food industries, and swine ranks prominently not only for its economic and social weight but also for its deep cultural roots. Despite this strong position, the sector faces significant structural, sanitary, and market challenges that will shape its future.

Sector size

Italy has roughly 8.7 million pigs, including more than 617,000 breeding sows, distributed across approximately 26,000 farms. The production structure combines small family holdings with larger commercial

operations, with an average of about 321 animals per farm.

The sector employs around 50,000 people directly. The rearing and processing of pigs generates more than €8 billion annually. Including the value added by processed products, especially PDO hams, the chain is worth more than €20 billion, consolidating swine as one of the country’s economic engines.

Despite its strong processing capacity, domestic production does not cover internal consumption or the needs of the export industry. Between 2019 and 2023, pig production fell

by 16.5%, reaching 1.24 million tonnes in 2024. This decline forced high levels of imports. In 2024 alone, Italy imported over 1.02 million tonnes of pork, valued at €3,071 million, at an average price of €2.98/kg. The leading suppliers were Germany (27.4%), Spain (26.5%), and the Netherlands (15.7%). In addition, Italy imported 1.4 million live pigs, mainly from Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Spain has consolidated its role as one of Italy’s leading suppliers, exporting 273,000 tonnes in 2023 worth more than €800 million. However, these exports focus on basic products (frozen meat and offal), posing the challenge of diversifying toward higher value‑added products, such as processed meats, in a competitive market with a strong local identity.

Farrowing ward in Italy with Rotecna equipment. Photo: Rotecna.

Consumption

Meat consumption in Italy stands at 75–80 kg per person per year, of which about 47 kg is pork, evidence that pork remains the nation’s most consumed animal protein. As elsewhere in Europe, overall meat consumption is showing signs of slowdown, particularly among younger, urban segments.

Increasingly, Italian consumers opt for local products, quality seals, organic options, or items associated with a healthy lifestyle. In this context, cured and cooked hams and PDO sausages continue to gain prominence. This is not just a shift in shopping habits; it is an opportunity for swine to reinforce its place within the Mediterranean diet by aligning with values, sustainability, animal welfare, and health, that guide consumers today.

Italy’s swine sector faces a set of challenges affecting its productive structure and market position.

Impact of ASF

A significant challenge in recent years has been African swine fever (ASF). Initial cases were detected in 2022 among wild boar and domestic pigs in key regions such as Liguria, Piedmont, Emilia‑Romagna, Calabria, and Lombardy. The virus’s rapid spread led to the culling of thousands of animals and strict restrictions that severely affected movement, marketing, and international trade, including export suspensions to third countries such as Canada, Mexico, and China.

Containing the disease became a national priority. Italy reinforced wildlife control, isolated affected areas, and increased investment in biosecurity.

As a result, in January 2025, the Ministry of Health announced ASF had been eradicated in Rome, following approval by the EU’s Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed to lift restricted zones. This achievement, thanks to institutional coordination, cooperation with the hunting sector, and commitment from local authorities, marks a crucial step toward recovery. Even so, authorities stress the need for high vigilance to prevent flare ups and to maintain sanitary security.

Future challenges

Italy’s swine sector faces a set of interrelated challenges affecting its productive structure and market position. First, animal health and biosecurity must be reinforced, especially given the constant threat of ASF and other emerging diseases. At the same time, the sector must reduce its heavy reliance on imports through policies that support farm modernisation, generational renewal, and growth in domestic production.

The market also demands change. The sector must aim for innovation and differentiation, promoting higher value‑added products that are more sustainable and aligned with current consumer preferences. Traditional charcuterie can play a leading role, but it must integrate elements such as animal welfare, traceability, environmental efficiency, and a smaller climate footprint.

Internationally, the sector must strengthen export capacity, diversify markets, and adapt to new sanitary and trade regulations, all in a context of growing global competition and social pressure on livestock models. The future of Italian swine will depend on its ability to combine tradition, quality, and sustainability with a long‑term strategic vision.

Source: Interpoc.