Fun Fact Friday: Mangalista Pigs

Mangalista pigs are indigenous to Hungary. The name means “hog with a lot of fat”. Lard or fat from these pigs makes up 65-70% of their body. The fattiness of this animal makes it among the tastiest pork in the world.

In the early 1990’s, Mangalica’s were becoming extinct due to less and less farmers producing them due to consumer preference and demand. A Hungarian geneticist was alarmed by this and created a program encouraging farmers to breed and raise Mangalista’s on pastureland. Today there are about 50,000 pigs produced annually. This breed is still considered a limited breed, however there are no longer endangered species.

When people stop consuming a breed of animal it can lead to extinction due to farmers ceasing production to meet demand and preference. The saying “Eat them to save them” sounds contradictory, however to keep certain breeds from becoming extinct, we must eat them to save them!

Here at Lockewood Acres our Mangalista pigs help us reduce waste and consume nutrients we are unable to sell. In addition they love to forage, dig for grub so they don’t have to wait around to be fed.


Facts and information by: https://www.dartagnan.com/mangalica-pig-heritage-pork.html