Last summer, 11 pig farms suffered damage from swine fever. Eight of them have now resumed work with new pigs. Across Estonia, the number of pigs has not yet risen to previous levels. This year, swine fever did not reach pig farms.
Last August, swine fever was detected in Viljandi County. This year it has only been found in wild boars.
Maag Agro manager Priit Reiman said their farm now has 2,700 sows. The first piglets should be born in late November. The farm underwent renovations and upgrades.
Due to swine fever, work procedures also changed. Biosafety controls are now stricter. Changes have been made around the farm to reduce disease spread.
Previously there were 8,000 sows on the farm. Now there are only 2,700. This means some workers had to leave.
Agricultural Board expert Helen Prommik said swine fever was not detected in pig farms this year. However, it was found in 122 wild boars.
The most positive cases in wild boars were found in Rapla County. Harju County and Lääne County followed.
In 2025, there were 280,000 domestic pigs in Estonia. Now there are only 215,000. The number of pigs has not yet recovered.
Helen Prommik said pork producers are receiving subsidies. Hopefully this will help increase the number of pigs.