Following the outbreak of African swine fever earlier this year, SIA "Vaiņodes bekons" has successfully resumed operations. The surveillance period imposed by the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) has been successfully completed, and more than 1,000 young breeding gilts have already been introduced to the farm, marking the beginning of the full restoration of the breeding sow herd.

The first young gilts arrived at the farm at the end of May, immediately after the company received permission from the PVD, and the rebuilding of the herd continued at a rapid pace throughout June. By the end of the year, the farm is expected to have approximately 1,500 sows and young gilts, restoring the herd to the level it had before the disease outbreak.

The young breeding gilts are being sourced from the Danish genetics company DanBred and meet the highest health classification standards. Going forward, the Company will continue to maintain its breeding sow herd through its own breeding programme by raising breeding animals at the Vaiņode farm.

Apart from rebuilding the herd, extensive farm modernisation works are continuing. The facilities are being renovated, technological equipment is being upgraded, and significant biosecurity improvements are being implemented, including the construction of additional protective fencing, upgrades to the logistics infrastructure, and the implementation of other major construction projects.

Total investment in breeding stock, farm restoration and biosecurity measures will exceed EUR 1.5 million. Sales of finishing pigs are expected to resume no earlier than April 2027.