RaboBank: Global Pork Industry Takes Cautious Approach to Growth

Global pork production is expected to rise in the first half of 2026, despite trade volatility stemming from shifting import policies and swine disease pressures.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS)New research from Rabobank says the global pork industry is taking a cautious approach to growth. This year, researchers say producers are refocusing on productivity and cost control.

Production is expected to rise in the first half of the year, led by modest gains in the United States, Europe, China, and Brazil, before slowing in the second half due to herd reductions, especially in China and Spain.

Trade remains volatile amid shifting import policies and disease pressures, including African Swine Fever and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), keeping expansion plans in check.

Related Stories
For Chrystal Castelloe, farming is more than her job. It is a sense of freedom. The North Carolina Farm Bureau takes us to Castelloe Farms and Sale Barn Farm to learn her story.
South Texas producers remain on alert as screwworm concerns grow; sterile fly efforts underway to prevent spread.
Fuel costs are shaping food and demand patterns.
Strong demand persists despite short-term price pressure.
High prices alone may not drive herd expansion.
Trust with lenders strengthens farm financial decision-making.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper joined us to discuss the proposed E15 amendment in the Farm Bill, industry reaction to the legislation, and the outlook for year-round E15 sales.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins plans a farm visit in Missouri, hinting at a possible fertilizer relief announcement on RFD-TV earlier this week. USDA also restructures its research infrastructure and launches new food-safety centers.
Dry conditions have severely impacted key winter wheat states with persistent moisture deficits. As quality declines, analysts warn some crops may be lost despite upcoming rain.
As part of this effort, USDA will establish a new National Food Safety Center (NFSC) in Urbandale, Iowa, which will serve as the primary hub for FSIS administrative, technical, and support operations.
Kansas row crop farmer Brad Keeler joins us to discuss drought conditions, planting decisions, input costs, and overall farmer sentiment in his region.
AFBF Economist Danny Munch joined us to discuss snowpack levels in the Colorado River Basin, water supply concerns, and the potential impact on agricultural production.
Agriculture Shows
RFD-TV has partnered with a handful of agricultural social media influencers whom we have dubbed The New Crop. These folks have taken to the internet to tell their stories and to raise awareness of where our food comes from and all that goes into feeding the world population.
The goal of “Where the Food Comes From” is as simple as its name implies — host Chip Carter takes you along on the journey of where our food comes from — and we don’t just mean to the supermarket (though that’s part of the big picture!). But beyond where it comes from, how it gets there, and all the links in the chain that make that happen.
Join markets specialist Scott Shellady, better known as the Cow Guy, as he covers the market-close, breaking down headlines that drive the commodities and equities markets with commentary from respected industry heavyweights.
Tara Beaver Coronado (formerly known as Beaver Vineyards) is a farmer in Northern California. She raises grain crops with her dad. Tara planted her very first vineyard in 2018. Her channel is centered around her daily life on the farm, as well as promoting the diversity and scale of California agriculture.