Yakutia's pig farms collapse as numbers drop 90% in a decade

The pig population in Yakutia has fallen sharply over the past decade. In 2011, the region had 22,400 pigs, but by 2024, numbers had plunged to just 2,000. The most recent drop—from 15,000 to 2,400—happened between 2023 and 2024 alone.

Yakutia's pig farming industry has faced steady decline since 2011. Over 13 years, the population shrank by over 90%, raising concerns about the region's agricultural stability.

The latest and steepest fall occurred in the past year. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of pigs dropped from 15,000 to 2,400. Authorities suspect African swine fever (ASF) may be responsible, though the exact cause remains unconfirmed.

Russia has long battled ASF outbreaks with strict controls. Since 2015, measures like Government Decree No. 479 have enforced biosecurity rules, farm registration, and zoning of infected areas. Over a million pigs were culled between 2017 and 2024 to contain the disease. Vaccination trials for wild boars were approved in 2023, while surveillance by Rosselkhoznadzor tightened. Import bans on pork from high-risk regions also remain in place.

Major outbreaks between 2019 and 2024 hit regions such as Tver, Rostov, and Krasnodar. Despite these efforts, Yakutia's pig numbers continue to fall, leaving farmers and officials searching for solutions.

The collapse of Yakutia's pig population leaves the region with fewer than 2,000 animals. If African swine fever is confirmed as the cause, further culling and restrictions may follow. The decline also raises questions about the long-term future of local pig farming.