DanBred is setting new standards in global pig breeding through innovation, precision genetics, and strong international partnerships. With a growing presence in Ukraine alongside with Vilomix, the first animals are available for sale in February 2026, the company continues to deliver sustainable solutions and improved profitability for pig producers worldwide.
DanBred delivers world-class pig genetics and service solutions to professional producers worldwide. The company is co-owned by the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, which has over 120 years of experience in targeted pig breeding. DanBred is headquartered in Vejle, Denmark. DanBred’s mission is to support sustainable pig production and improve profitability for producers through precision breeding and international outreach.
DanBred works internationally with local partners – such as Vilomix Ukraine – to deliver high performing pig genetics across markets. The partnership between DanBred and Vilomix Ukraine began in 2018, and since then, has provided expert sales and service of top elite breeding pigs to the local industry.
New multiplier farm in Ukraine
DanBred and the VITAGRO Group of Companies have launched a new multiplier farm in the Khmelnytskyi region. The high health status multiplier will house 1,000 sows and produce 9,000-10,000 DanBred Hybrid gilts, 300-400 DanBred Yorkshire pigs and 250 DanBred Duroc boars annually. The first sows have farrowed, and the first animals are available for sale in primo February 2026.
“This is a key step in our strategic development and a sign of our commitment to Ukraine. It also reflects our desire to invest in the development of Ukrainian business even during the war. We are confident that the industry is expected to develop rapidly” says Stefan Derks, regional director Europe.
DanBred now operates local breeding programs in over 20 countries and with Ukraine joining this global network.
DanBred’s breeding program is constantly evolving
DanBred continuously improves with the latest innovation and research to provide pig producers all over the world with world-class genetics. In recent years, three key developments have stood out:
Increasing robustness through survival traits
In 2022, DanBred introduced two new breeding goal traits for piglet survival. This targeted breeding approach considers both the sow’s genetic potential to make its piglet survive and the piglet’s own genetic potential to survive. This new breeding goal has delivered remarkable results, increasing piglet survival by almost 2 percentage points in only two years in Danish production herds.
In 2024, a new breeding goal trait, sow survival, was implemented. DanBred uses a unique definition and breeding method based on registrations from production herds. This ensures a future with more robust sows with longer productive life.
Easier care with improved nursing ability
In spring 2025, DanBred implemented litter weight gain in the breeding goal. This will improve the nursing ability and milk production of DanBred sows resulting in better litter performance and stronger piglets at weaning. The trait is expected to improve litter weight gain with 3 kg annually, equivalent to 0.5 more weaned piglets per weaning.
Higher performance higher profit
Year after year, DanBred continues to deliver more profit for pig producers. The latest productivity figures show that DanBred customers in Denmark have achieved an impressive average of 37.3 weaned piglets per sow per year. An increase of almost two extra weaned piglets in just two years. This is a direct result of a huge improvement of 1.6 percentage points in piglet survival combined with an increase of 0.6 in liveborn piglets.
DanBred’s finisher standards are also very well known. Here the latest productivity figures from DanBred finisher herds show a remarkable average of 1,081 in daily gain. This is supported by an average feed efficiency of 2.38 kg feed per kg gain. DanBred pigs grow faster and are more feed efficient.
