Foot and mouth disease outbreak disrupts German pork exports

On January 10, 2025, a case of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in water buffaloes was confirmed in the outskirts of Berlin, Germany. FMD is a highly contagious, but usually nonfatal, viral infection of cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. Germany had been free of the disease since 1988. The outbreak triggered import bans on German pork, and in some cases, beef and dairy products by countries outside the EU, such as the UK, South Korea, and Mexico. These bans are expected to lead to significant shifts in trade flows in Europe, potentially impacting prices and margins in the pork supply chain and causing supply disruptions in the UK. However, they will also create opportunities for other exporters to step in and supply the markets that Germany can no longer serve.