The Expert insights on Foot-and-Mouth Disease, market trends, and technical strategies across Asia
Asia is divided into two WOAH endemic pools: Pool 1 (Southeast, East, and Central Asia) and Pool 2 (South Asia), where FMD serotypes O, A, and Asia 1 continue to circulate.
In Pool 1, the most notable event was the first-ever detection of SAT1 in China and Mongolia, creating a new regional threat. Meanwhile, O/ME-SA/Ind-2001e caused a sharp increase in outbreaks in Indonesia (641 outbreaks in February) and re-emerged in South Korea after nine months without cases. Serotype O activity also continued in Cambodia and Mongolia, while Malaysia reported both O and A.
In Pool 2, Bangladesh confirmed serotype O (SA-2018 and Ind-2001e), while India continued large-scale vaccination campaigns.
Overall, serotype O remained dominant across Asia, while serotypes A and SAT1 emerging as a key concern in Asia, highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance, biosecurity, and vaccine preparedness across the region.
The FMD situation in first half of 2026 was highly complex and dynamic, driven by the spread of virus strains into new regions. Notably, serotype SAT1 expanded beyond its traditional range, reaching Northwest China, Mongolia and Europe. Meanwhile, the O/ME-SA/Ind-2001e strain surged in Asia, especially in Indonesia, and spread to South Korea, increasing regional transmission risks.
In addition, South Africa reported widespread SAT serotype outbreaks, resulting in hundreds of cases. In response, many countries implemented large-scale vaccination campaigns to control the disease.
The exotic SAT1/III has spread rapidly across multiple countries, including Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. Turkey has reported 46 outbreaks, while Iraq has reported 179 outbreaks. In response, Turkey (15.7 million animals), Azerbaijan (5 million animals), and Syria have launched large-scale emergency vaccination campaigns using polyvalent vaccines containing the SAT1 strain.
North and Eastern Africa (Pool 4): This region shows complex circulation of multiple serotypes, with Kenya reporting types O, A, SAT1, and SAT2 simultaneously. In North Africa, Algeria recorded new type O outbreaks, while Tunisia urgently added SAT1 to its vaccines due to high introduction risk.
West/Central Africa (Pool 5): Genetic sequencing analyses from Ghana and Nigeria confirmed the circulation of type O (EA-3), type A, and SAT2 (topotypes/lineages V and VII)
strains.
Southern Africa (Pool 6): remains the main hotspot, with Lesotho reporting its first ever FMD case (SAT1), resulting in the loss of its disease-free status. South Africa is heavily affected, with over 600 SAT2 outbreaks and the co-circulation of SAT1 and SAT3. Meanwhile, Botswana and Eswatini have also reported new SAT1 outbreaks in border areas.
No new outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease were reported in South America.
SAT 1 reaches Europe. Cyprus reported 48 SAT1 outbreaks affecting at least 50 farms (including pig farms), while Greece reported 16 outbreaks on Lesvos Island, its first FMD cases since 1994. Both countries responded with vaccination campaigns and strict disease control measures to contain the spread.
Source: WOAH-FAO FMD Ref Lab Report Jan- March 2026; WAHIS
Asian Pork Markets are diverging: prices remain low in China and Thailand amidst excess supply and soft demand; elevated prices in the Philippines and Vietnam due to constrained supply; while South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan maintain stable prices supported by balanced supply and demand.
Swine producers face multiple pressures: disease risks (ASF, FMD), rising feed and energy costs, supply-demand imbalances, trade disruptions, and weak consumer demand amidst inflation and geopolitical uncertainty. Improving profitability requires stronger biosecurity and disease control, optimized feed and energy cost management, and an efficient production system driven by scaling up operations, leveraging on AIoT and making data-driven decisions.
SWINE INDUSTRY NEWS & OUTLOOK
China: Oversupplied pork market, undergoing sow-herd minimization, amidst profitability pressure
China is facing pork price pressure due to oversupply, weak demand, and better sow performance. The government and industry are further reducing the sow herd, admist better sow productivity, to rebalance supply. Prices are expected to stabilize and recover gradually in second half of 2026 as supply tightens.
Thailand: Market is correcting after oversupply following herd recovery
Thailand is experiencing declining pork prices due to oversupply, following a successful herd recovery, however exceeding stable domestic demand. Producers are rebuilding cautiously while improving biosecurity and production efficiency. Supply-demand balance is expected to normalize gradually.
Vietnam: Tight supply market with strong demand, while facing persistent disease pressure.
Vietnam maintains high pork prices driven by constrained supply from ASF and herd rebuilding challenges. The industry is shifting toward large-scale biosecurity and modern farm production systems. Production is expected to recover in second half of 2026, with gradual price softening.
Philippines: Supply-constrained market, heavily dependent on imports, with high pork prices.
The Philippines continues to experience tight pork supply and high prices due to slow ASF recovery. Authorities are increasing imports while implementing ASF strategies and support herd rebuilding. Imports will remain high and prices firm, with gradual improvement depending on ASF control success.
South Korea: Balanced but high-cost production market under pressure.
South Korea maintains stable supply-demand balance but faces high feed and production costs. Producers are focusing on biosecurity and cautious expansion while managing cost pressures. The market is expected to remain stable, but margin is sensitive to increasing costs.
Japan: Stable but import-reliant market with weak consumption growth.
Japan’s pork demand remains sluggish with continued reliance on imports. The industry balances domestic production with imports while focusing on efficiency. Consumption is expected to remain flat, with prices supported by import dependence and cost pressures.
Taiwan: Highly stable and biosecurity premium market with export potential.
Taiwan maintains a stable pork market supported by strong biosecurity and ASF-free status. The industry is leveraging its disease-free status to expand export opportunities. Outlook remains positive with growth potential driven by trade and premium positioning.
Source: Compiled and summarized by Biogénesis Bagó Asia
Biogénesis Bagó was selected by South Africa to support its national FMD emergency response, by providing 6 millon doses of BIOAFTOGEN® SAT1 to help protect livestock through one of the largest emergency vaccination campaigns in the country's history.
Vietnam is reinforcing its preparedness against SAT1 through enhanced biosecurity and emergency planning. Biogénesis Bagó stands ready to rapidly supply vaccines BIOAFTOGEN® SAT1 to Vietnam to help protect the country's 31.4 million pigs and 6.14 million cattle in the event of an outbreak.
For more than two decades, Biogénesis Bagó has supported governments and veterinary authorities in responding to Foot-and-Mouth Disease emergencies across the world. From rapid vaccine deployment during outbreaks to long-term disease control and eradication programs, our experience has been built through real-world challenges on multiple continents.
Today, BIOAFTOGEN® vaccines are licensed in 30+ countries, with a manufacturing capacity of 350 million doses per year and more than 3.4 billion doses supplied globally over the past 30 years. This proven track record reflects our commitment to ensuring reliable vaccine availability whenever and wherever it is needed.
KEY MILESTONES
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