Around 5,000 third‑country nationals come to Estonia every year for seasonal work, mostly on farms, according to the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), ERR reports. Most seasonal workers come from Ukraine, Moldova, Uzbekistan, India, and Georgia. Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many seasonal workers came from Belarus as well, but Estonia has since…
The Estonian Agriculture and Food Board (PTA) will end the African swine fever (ASF) emergency situation, PTA director general Raimo Heinam announced, ERR reports. He said that all pigs at farms hit by ASF have been culled and initial disinfection has been completed. Efforts to control the disease and to improve biosecurity procedures will continue,…
Estonia’s raw milk production per dairy cow rose by 5% in 2023 from the year before, which was the highest increase in 31 years, according to a report from the European Commission, ERR reports. In terms of milk production per cow, Estonian farms are second only to Denmark in the EU, Tanel-Taavi Bulitko, CEO of…
Latvian farmers will begin holding protests across the country on 5 February 2024, the Farmers’ Parliament (ZSA) announced, LSM reports. ZSA chairman Juris Lazdins said that the composition of the current government was “particularly distinguished by its arrogance and indifference.” The organisation has submitted its demands to Prime Minister Evika Silina and Agriculture Minister Armands…
One person was killed during a severe storm in Lithuania on 7 August 2023, LRT reports. Lithuania’s Fire and Rescue Department (PAGD) announced that a woman was crushed to death by a falling tree in the town of Zagare in Joniskis district. The storm caused widespread damage in northern Lithuania, as hail broke windows and…
African swine fever (ASF) was detected at Estonian pig farming company Rakvere Farmid’s farm in Põlvamaa county, ERR reports. The farm in the village of Lutsu has more than 9,000 pigs, and all of them will now be slaughtered. Quarantine restrictions are in place around the farm. Markus Kirsberg, CEO of Finnish meat processing group…
Estonia’s Agriculture and Food Board (PTA) has confirmed African swine fever (ASF) at a pig farm in Rõuge municipality in Võrumaa county, ERR reports. The farm has been quarantined, and all of the farm’s 116 pigs will be slaughtered. The previous ASF outbreak at a pig farm in Estonia was recorded in Harjumaa county in…
Latvia’s Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) has confirmed African swine fever (ASF) at a farm with 48 domestic pigs in Kraslava municipality, LETA reports. The farm has been quarantined, and all 48 pigs will be destroyed. This is the fourth confirmed ASF outbreak at a farm in Latvia in 2023. The first was recorded in…
Vegetable production in Estonia is declining due to a shortage of farm workers, ERR reports. As a result, imports and consumer prices of vegetables are rising. In 2019, Estonian farmers grew vegetables on a total area of 2,035 hectares, whereas in 2023, the area is around 50% less. The farm labour shortage began during the…
