Even one temporary case of African swine fever can cost Danish pig breeding at least 268 million euros.

Even one quickly controlled outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in Denmark will cost the local pig-breeding sector many millions of euros. This is evidenced by the current calculations of the National Veterinary and Food Administration, which are currently published by various specialized media.

Thus, authorities suggest that a separate case of ASF on a Danish pig farm will cost the industry at least 268 million. This also refers to the assumption that the disease is fully controlled for one month without further suspicious cases.

According to experts, losses will arise from a short-term collapse of the domestic market. However, the Danish pig industry will suffer even more from the loss of important international customers, primarily China, where confidence in food safety is already undermined by its own ASF crisis.

Significantly large losses are expected if this disease affects several farms or if wild boars get sick with ASF, which would greatly complicate the restriction of the infected area.

In such cases, it may take years before access to the markets of third countries can be restored, warns the Veterinary and Food Administration.