The Belarusian government has announced ambitious plans to construct a large-scale pig farm capable of housing 100,000 pigs at once, in an effort to revitalize the nation’s pork industry after the setbacks caused by African Swine Fever (ASF) over the past decade.
Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko explained that the new farm is intended not only to increase pork production but also to enhance the overall financial health of the pig industry. The move is seen as crucial to rebuilding the pig herd that was severely impacted by ASF.
Loading Meat Processing Capacity
Belarusian slaughterhouses and meat-processing facilities have been struggling with insufficient pork supplies, with an average capacity utilization of only 30% to 50%, according to Shuleiko. He stressed that increasing the supply of pigs would be key to stabilizing and improving the sector’s profitability by fully utilizing meat processing capabilities.
The Belarusian government recently completed modernization of the Orshansky meat processing plant, incorporating a new, state-of-the-art production line. The new pig farm is expected to be instrumental in addressing the country’s pork shortage and sustaining meat-processing operations.
Investment and Industry Revival
Expanding pork production capacity is also aimed at attracting more investments into the Belarusian economy, both domestically and internationally, while opening up new export opportunities. Despite mixed results over the past decade, the Belarusian pig industry is showing signs of recovery, with output increasing by 6% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching 426,000 tonnes of pork.
Currently, Belarus maintains 2.1 million pigs at its farms, marking a slight increase of 1% compared to 2022 levels. However, the sector still faces challenges in reaching full recovery after losing significant production capacity in the late 2010s, largely due to ASF.
Comprehensive Development Program
The construction of the 100,000-pig farm is part of a broader government effort to develop the pig industry and achieve self-sufficiency in pork production by reducing reliance on imports. The plan includes the establishment of 14 new pig farms by 2026, with a target of increasing annual pork production to over 500,000 tonnes.
Belarus is aiming to reduce its dependence on pork imports, primarily from Russia. During the first half of 2023, Belarus imported 20,000 tonnes of pork, a 38% increase from the previous year. The new initiatives are expected to significantly boost domestic production and reduce the need for imports moving forward.
