The Tuhe black pig is a local black pig breed from the Tuhe River basin in Shandong.

The Tuhe black pig is a local black pig breed native to the area around the Tuhe River basin in Shandong Province, and its name is closely tied to this river. It has long been raised under local farmhouse conditions, adapting to the climate of the production area with its distinct winters and summers and to a relatively extensive rearing environment, making it one of the more representative local pig breed resources in the Shandong region.

In appearance, the Tuhe black pig has a completely black coat and a sturdy build, with outstanding tolerance for coarse feed and strong disease resistance and cold tolerance, making it suitable for free-range or semi-free-range management. Its growth rate is on the slow side, and its time to market is noticeably longer than that of ordinary white pigs. Its lean meat percentage is not high, but its intramuscular fat is relatively rich, and its meat is firm and richly flavored, giving it a standout flavor when used to make traditional dishes such as braised pork and sausages.

In terms of farming applications, Tuhe black pigs are mostly fed on grain and green coarse fodder, with less reliance on high-intensity concentrated feed, and their feeding and management are relatively extensive. In recent years, as consumers' recognition of native pork has rebounded, production areas have gradually carried out breed conservation and selective breeding and ecological farming, treating it as an important resource for developing specialty animal husbandry and boosting farmers' incomes.

Because of its slow growth and limited meat production efficiency, the price of Tuhe black pork is generally higher than that of ordinary pork. When buying, it can be identified by coat color, skin quality, fat layer, and meat color, and it is best to choose farms or brands with reliable sources. For farmers, good disease prevention, barn hygiene, and scientific feeding are the foundation for raising this local breed well.