Swine Fever's Growing Threat to Italy's Pork Industry and Prosciutto Production

The outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in Italy's northern regions has raised significant concerns about the country's pork industry and the production of its world-renowned prosciutto. With an annual turnover of 20 billion euros ($22 billion) and employing 100,000 people, the Italian pork sector is facing a severe challenge.

The disease, which is fatal for pigs and has a devastating economic impact, has particularly affected the northern regions of Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria. As of September 2024, Italy has recorded cases of the virus in just under 25,000 pigs in 50 farms and in nearly 2,500 wild boars between January 2022 and this year. Pig farmers like Alberto Cavagnini, who owns several farms in Brescia, have had to slaughter thousands of hogs to prevent the spread of the disease.


The Italian government has taken steps to manage the crisis, including appointing a special commissioner to lay down rules and adopting a single strategy for the whole of northern Italy. However, the movement of pigs within infected and neighboring areas is banned, except towards slaughterhouses, and access to farms is limited to the bare minimum. These restrictions have led to significant income losses, estimated at around 25 million euros, and affected hundreds of breeders who cannot transport pigs between farms, suffering losses worth "hundreds of millions" of euros which are not covered.

The spread of swine fever has also had a significant impact on the export market for Italian pork products, particularly prosciutto. In 2024 alone, between 50,000 and 60,000 pigs were slaughtered across Italy, leading to a desolation in the industry. The limited availability of fresh pork legs has generated strong production limitations, and a spike in prices of the raw materials due to the emergency has become unsustainable.


The long-term economic implications for Italy's pork industry if swine fever continues to spread or becomes endemic are severe. The industry generates an annual turnover of 20 billion euros ($22 billion) and employs 100,000 people. If the disease is not contained, the economic impact on the sector and the livelihoods of those involved could be catastrophic.

Collaboration between the Italian government and pork industry stakeholders is crucial to mitigate the economic impact of swine fever and ensure the sector's recovery. This may involve innovative solutions, such as disease-resistant pig breeds or vaccines, to help the industry bounce back from the crisis. Additionally, the Italian government must provide greater financial assistance to affected farmers, such as a moratorium on loan repayments, to help them weather the storm.

In conclusion, the growing threat of swine fever to Italy's pork industry and prosciutto production requires urgent attention and coordinated efforts from the government, industry stakeholders, and international organizations. The long-term economic implications of the disease necessitate innovative solutions and robust support for the sector to ensure its recovery and the preservation of Italy's prized pork products.