In 2026, the “cost per kilogram” depends heavily on the species (pig/poultry/cattle), the level of integration (farm + slaughtering), and the overall efficiency of the farm. One rule, however, remains constant: feed represents the largest share of costs—typically around ~60% of total expenses in pig production.

A useful market benchmark: at the beginning of 2026, it was reported in Romania that the farm-gate price for live pigs had dropped to around ~4.95 RON/kg, while the actual production cost was estimated at over 6.5 RON/kg (live weight)—a gap that significantly compresses farm margins. It is important to note that this refers to live weight, not carcass weight, and even less to the final processed product.

What drives costs up (and where control is possible)

Feed: volatility in cereal and vegetable protein prices remains the primary risk. Although at EU level there were declines in agricultural input prices in 2024 (including feed), the impact at farm level varies depending on contracts and stock positions.

Energy & utilities: slaughtering and processing are energy-intensive (cooling, steam, hot water). At EU level, energy as an agricultural input recorded decreases in 2024, but not uniformly across all segments.

Labor: wage pressure remains high; the average net monthly salary reported by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) exceeded approximately 5,400–5,600 RON in 2025, which directly affects labor and retention costs.

The conclusion: in 2026, the decisive factors are productivity (daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, mortality), feed procurement strategy, and securing energy at competitive prices. Those who fail to optimize these three pillars quickly end up producing below cost.

(Photo: Freepik)