Congjiang Xiang Pig

Congjiang Xiang Pig

The Congjiang Xiang Pig is an agricultural product with geographical indication status.

　　The Congjiang Xiang Pig is a rare and precious miniature local pig breed in China, characterized by its small stature, tender meat, genetically pure lineage, and pollution-free rearing. It has been designated as a national second-class protected livestock breed. In 1995, during the inaugural "Hundred Chinese Specialty Towns" naming and promotional event in Beijing, the Qiandongnan Autonomous Prefecture where our county is located was named the "Home of Chinese Xiang Pigs." In 1999, it received the title of Famous, Special, and High-Quality Product at the China International Agricultural Expo. The Congjiang Xiang Pig is highly nutritious, low in cholesterol, and serves as an excellent raw material for premium meat products. To develop this valuable biological resource, the Congjiang County Party Committee and County People’s Government proposed a development strategy of “Xiang Pigs in the West, Ponkan Oranges in the East,” vigorously promoting the growth of distinctive industries.

　　The industrialized development of the Congjiang Xiang Pig is led by the Congjiang Xiang Pig Development Company, adopting a "company + farmer" and "company + base" model. Guizhou University provides technical support, while the Guangzhou Light Industry Machinery Design Research Institute of the China National Light Industry Council and the China Light Industry Design Institute were commissioned to design production and processing equipment for the Xiang Pig product line. To accelerate industrialization, investment in Xiang Pig breeding bases has been significantly increased. Currently, the breeding bases span eight western townships in Congjiang County, covering 118 administrative villages and 288 natural hamlets. There are 13,000 households raising Xiang Pigs. By the end of 1999, the county’s Xiang Pig population had reached over 50,000, including 30,000 base pigs, 23,000 breeding sows, yielding 300,000 piglets annually and 12,000 fattened pigs. Over 7,000 Xiang Pig farming households have benefited from pig breeding.

　　The Congjiang Xiang Pig is a rare and precious miniature local pig breed found only in the Moon Mountain area of Congjiang County. It is known for its small size, tender meat, genetically pure traits, and pollution-free environment, and has been listed by the state as a second-class protected livestock breed. In 1995, during the first “Hundred Chinese Specialty Towns” naming event in Beijing, it was named the “Home of Chinese Xiang Pigs.” In 1999, it won the title of “Famous, Special, and High-Quality Product at the China International Agricultural Expo – Congjiang Xiang Pig.” It is rich in nutrition, low in cholesterol, and an ideal raw material for high-end meat products. The “Moon Mountain” brand Xiang Pig meat products developed by the Congjiang Xiang Pig Development Company are highly favored by consumers. With sales points established in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hainan, and Guiyang, and a supply contract signed with the Shenzhen ABB Industrial Company under the U.S.-based ABA Group—which has a global sales network—Xiang Pig products are currently in high demand, indicating promising market prospects.

　　The Congjiang Xiang Pig is an exceptionally small pig breed formed over centuries through both natural and artificial selection in the unique ecological environment of Congjiang County, Guizhou Province. It is renowned for four key characteristics: small stature, fragrant and tender meat, genetically pure lineage, and pollution-free rearing. In 2006, it was included in the Ministry of Agriculture's “National Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Protection List.”

　　The Congjiang Xiang Pig has a short, round body, black and sparse glossy hair, shallow and few forehead wrinkles, and coat fur arranged in a vertical “川” (river) pattern. Its ears are small, thin, and slightly extend sideways or droop slightly. The back is wide and slightly concave, the belly large, round, and touches the ground, while the limbs are short and slender, with the hind legs being relatively plump. There is a noticeable hairless area around the eyes, resembling eyeglasses. Adult boars weigh 23–25 kg, while adult sows weigh 30–40 kg. The Xiang Pig is a dual-purpose breed for meat and fat, matures early, easily becomes fat, and is suitable for early slaughter.

　　The Congjiang Xiang Pig contains 87.41% crude protein, includes all 18 amino acids totaling 73%, among which glutamic acid—which benefits brain nerve health—accounts for 17.16%. It also has 2.92% crude fat content and is low in cholesterol but high in glutamic acid.

　　According to analysis by the Guizhou University Xiang Pig Research Institute, compared to other breeds such as Huanjiang Xiang Pig, Jianbai Xiang Pig, and Jiuyang Xiang Pig, the Congjiang Xiang Pig has the highest muscle tenderness, the highest intramuscular fat content, the highest level of unsaturated fatty acids, and the finest muscle fiber diameter. It offers the best nutritional value and serves as a premium protein source suitable for all ages. It is an excellent raw material for making high-end food products.

　　The Congjiang Xiang Pig is primarily raised through free-range grazing, without any compound feed, mixed feed, or additives, making it a completely pure and pollution-free green food. The production area is free from industrial pollution, making it a sought-after natural and pollution-free green food.

　　Congjiang Xiang Pig

　　Geographic Scope

　　The geographical indication protection area for the Congjiang Xiang Pig agricultural product covers all 21 townships within Congjiang County, Guizhou Province. This includes eight main producing areas such as Zai bian, Jiajiu, Jiamian, Guanghui, Jiabang, Gangbian, Xiutang, and Donglang, as well as 13 distribution areas including Xiajiang, Tingdong, Bingmei, Cui li, Douli, Xishan, Yongli, Gaozeng, Guping, Wangdong, Guandong, Luoxiang, and Qingyun. The geographical coordinates lie between 108°05′–109°12′ east longitude and 25°16′–26°05′ north latitude. It borders Rongjiang County to the north, Libo County (Guizhou) and Huanjiang County (Guangxi) to the west, touches the boundary of Rongshui County (Guangxi) to the south, and connects with Liping County (Guizhou) and Sanjiang County (Guangxi) to the east. The county spans 94 km from east to west and 77.5 km from north to south, with a total protected area of 3,244 square kilometers. The annual rearing capacity is 500,000 pigs, and the annual yield is 1,600 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: The Congjiang Xiang Pig features a small stature, tender and fragrant meat, genetically pure lineage, and a pollution-free environment. A notable trait is that it can be slaughtered and consumed at various growth stages. Both suckling and weaned piglets can be eaten without any milk or off-flavors, and the broth remains clear and transparent after boiling, sweet and delicious. The meat is thin-skinned, tender, aromatic, juicy, palatable, rich in flavor, smooth-textured, and leaves a long-lasting aftertaste. It is known for the saying “When one family cooks Xiang Pig, the aroma fills the neighborhood” and “The flavor lingers on the palate for three days,” highlighting its most distinctive qualities compared to other pig breeds. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Total amino acids (fresh product) are 15.05%, including 3.35% glutamic acid, 1.72% aspartic acid, 1.50% leucine, and 1.03% lysine. 3. It meets the quality and safety standards of the NY/T843-2004 Green Food – Meat and Meat Products.