Implications • Intensive pig production is an example of a costefficient production system: an optimized meat chain with highly specialized links. • External factors, such as the COVID-19 and African swine fever pandemics, are having an immense impact on the chain and farmers’ income. • These crises may exacerbate societal concerns about industrialized production, especially when linked with poor animal welfare and the risk for future pandemics. • Transition from a supply-driven to a demand-driven market may result in more sustainable business models.