Pig farming in Estonia is facing a serious crisis

High grain prices are forcing Estonian pig breeders to think about stopping or significantly reducing their activities.

The Haameri farm in Põlvamaa, which kept 5,000 pigs, is now selling its last piglets and will stop operating in the spring.

According to the owner of the farm, Ave Haamer, the main reason for the cessation of activities was the high cost of feed – grain prices almost doubled in a year, but the cost of pork did not increase proportionally. The prices for pork are set by the German stock exchange, now they are 1.2 euros per kg, the same is paid by local wholesalers.

“I think prices could go up by at least 30%,” Mart Timmy, owner of the Võru farm Jaagumäe talu, said. “Now it is difficult to cover the cost of food. It is impossible to constantly work in the red."

“The cost of Estonian pork is insanely high,” Olle Holm, member of the board of the pig breeding firm Atria Eesti, confirmed, saying that the cost of grain for animal feed has risen by 60% over the year.