Half of the pig farms in Romania risk closing by summer, warns an association.

Half of the pig farming farms risk closing by mid-year, warned the Association of Pork Producers on Friday, due to the fact that the selling price does not cover production costs and they are operating at a loss.

The current price of 4.7 lei/kg is well below the real cost of 6.57 lei/kg, and farmers have been selling at a loss for over 20 weeks.

Although the president of ANSVSA, Alexandru Bociu, assured that no farm is affected by African swine fever, there are 24 outbreaks in households and wild boars.

The crisis is caused by the decrease in domestic consumption, but aggravated by swine fever and the overproduction of meat in Europe, and Romania is facing the lowest prices in the Union, says Adrian Balaban, president of the Association of Pork Producers in Romania.

If the situation does not improve, the decrease in domestic production will have a negative impact on the economy and the budget, warned Adrian Balaban.

The association has requested support from the authorities to find solutions. Farmers hope for a recovery, but the reality remains difficult, and urgent measures are needed to prevent the disappearance of half of the farms.