Estonia, Foodstuff, Legislation, Markets and Companies

Speaking at a meat forum of the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce, the manager of the Estonian operation of the listed Finnish meat group HKScan said support must be provided on the level of the state to the country's viable and sustainable pig producing sector to save it from extinction.

Restrictions and zonings should be reduced to a minimum wherever possible, Soorm said according to spokespeople for the Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce.

Entry into new export markets could alleviate the situation of pig producers, he said. Intense efforts are needed to obtain veterinary recognition on new markets such as China, the United States, Japan and South Korea. Besides pig producers should be supported in their own export related endeavors, and investing in strengthening of the brand should be a priority.

According to Statistics Estonia, the number of domestic pigs dropped by 43,700 or 11.3% in Estonia year on year to 334,800 at the end of September.

The reduction took place not only because of the spread of African swine fever (ASF), but also as a result of the very low price of pork. ASF has not receded in our forests, the situation continues to be critical and a collapse of domestic pig production continues, the Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce said.