Yuexi organic black pig is a high-quality local pig breed from the Dabie Mountains

The Yuexi organic black pig is a local black pig breed native to the area around Yuexi County, Anhui Province. It gets its name from the fact that the local area lies in the Dabie Mountains and the rearing process is mostly managed according to organic methods. This pig breed has long reproduced in a mountain environment, has strong adaptability and disease resistance, and is a representative local livestock and poultry resource.

In appearance, the Yuexi organic black pig has black hair over its whole body, a medium and somewhat compact build, sturdy legs, and a good ability to tolerate coarse feed. Compared with ordinary fast-growing large white pigs, it grows more slowly and has a longer rearing cycle, but its meat is firm and fine, with a full accumulation of flavor compounds; once cooked, it has a rich aroma and a texture close to that of traditional farm-raised pork.

In terms of rearing methods, the Yuexi organic black pig mostly adopts a model combining free-range rearing in mountain forests with barn feeding. During the day it can move about and forage among the wooded slopes, and supplementary feed is mainly based on local ingredients such as corn, bran and green forage. Antibiotics and growth-promoting additives are generally not used during the rearing process. Organic rearing places high demands on feed sources, drinking water hygiene and pen environment, and farmers need to do a good job in routine disease prevention, cold protection and warmth retention, and site disinfection.

Because of its long growth cycle and relatively high rearing costs, the number of Yuexi organic black pigs sent to market is relatively limited. When purchasing, pay attention to the place-of-origin information and relevant certifications so as to distinguish it from ordinary pork. Overall, developing this breed not only helps protect local pig breed resources, but can also help increase the income of farmers in mountainous areas, making it a typical example of the combination of ecological farming and specialty agriculture.