Sweden begins selling pork from pigs raised on soy-free feed

Sweden has introduced pork from pigs raised on feed containing no soy. In September 2026, the meat was served to guests at a restaurant in the Gothia Towers hotel in Gothenburg before entering commercial sales. The project was carried out by Axfoundation in cooperation with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Its aim was to examine whether imported soy could be replaced with locally sourced feed ingredients without compromising animal performance or meat quality.

The trial involved 18 pigs fed diets containing locally grown grains, field beans, agricultural processing by-products, and mycoprotein — an alternative protein produced through fungal fermentation. The results showed no significant differences in animal growth rates or pork quality compared with conventional feeding practices. However, some cuts of meat, particularly pork chops, had a more pronounced nutty flavor.

The project placed particular emphasis on mycoprotein as a promising alternative to soybean meal. The ingredient used in pig feed was produced at Sweden’s RISE research institute using sugars extracted from sawmill waste. This technology makes it possible to convert by-products from other industries into animal feed, reduce the need for agricultural land, and lower dependence on imported protein sources.

The pig trial was part of a broader program testing soy-free feed for different animal species. Around 7 tons of rainbow trout raised on diets containing mycoprotein, insect protein, and mussel protein entered commercial sales. Similar feeds were also tested on broilers and laying hens, with poultry meat and eggs subsequently offered to consumers. However, some broilers showed slower-than-expected growth rates, and the reasons are still being investigated.

Despite the positive results, the wider adoption of alternative proteins in animal feed remains constrained by limited mycoprotein production capacity. Shortages of the ingredient even forced organizers to reduce animal numbers in some trials. Axfoundation now plans to discuss the findings with European policymakers and industry representatives. The project partners believe that expanding local production of protein ingredients and improving feed supply chain transparency could help Europe gradually reduce its dependence on imported soy.

Tags: pork, soybean, compound feed