Pig farming, as soon as seen as a humble village commerce, has grown into an business that’s value over N500 billion in Nigeria. The worldwide market dimension is estimated at $255 billion and Nigeria is the largest producer in Africa, with an output of 9.5 million pigs yearly.
From Asia to Europe, pork dominates the worldwide meat scene, accounting for 36 p.c of meat consumption, outstripping each beef and poultry, based on the Meals and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
The pork market, valued at $406 billion in 2025, is projected to succeed in $446 billion by 2030, increasing at a gentle compound annual progress price of 1.73 p.c, based on Indian market intelligence agency Mordor Intelligence.
Pig enterprise is a profitable enterprise because of the animal’s excessive reproductive price, speedy progress and rising demand. Entrepreneurs within the business say pigs are prolific breeders, and a sow can reproduce a litter (8-12) of piglets.
Dan Arubasa, an agro-consultant, informed BusinessDay that the world is now consuming extra pork than ever earlier than.
“There’s an enormous potential for younger buyers to faucet into the chance, backing critical agribusiness manufacturers and never simply seeing it as a facet hustle,” he defined.
Echoing this, Uchechi Agbarakwe, pig farmer and chief government officer of UCAN Farms in Rivers State, Nigeria, mentioned as a result of pigs’ excessive replica price and profitability, he would reasonably use his condominium as a pig pen than hire it.
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“World funding flows are pouring into pork manufacturing, feed formulation, processing vegetation, logistics, packaging and exports, particularly in Asia, Latin America, and Europe,” Arubasa mentioned.
“This isn’t a small-time gig. It’s a strategic enterprise alternative in an business that’s nonetheless rising,” he emphasised.
AgroNigeria highlights pig farming as a profitable revenue supply ripe for funding.
“With demand skyrocketing each domestically and globally, pig farming gives a reliable income stream,” the platform famous. “Pig farming is the brand new oil and fuel of agribusiness,” Arubasa echoed.
Why pig farming?
Pig farming is without doubt one of the fastest-growing livestock companies, pushed by pigs’ outstanding reproductive price.
“A single sow (feminine pig) can ship 8 to 12 piglets per litter(reproductive cycle), and with two litters a yr, your inventory can double in below 12 months when managed nicely,” Agbarakwe defined. This speedy progress interprets to faster returns and increasing herds.
Feed effectivity additionally makes pig farming cost-effective. “Pigs convert feed effectively, rising sooner on much less, particularly when given kitchen scraps, farm leftovers, or formulated feed,” he famous.
In the meantime, demand for pork has continued to rise in each city and rural markets.
From Kenya to export hubs, pork fills plates in eating places, butcheries, and houses alike, making certain regular patrons and a dependable funding.
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In China alone, the pork market is valued at $120 billion, as over 60 million metric tons are consumed yearly.
“Pig farming provides versatile entry factors, permitting anybody—from yard newcomers to large-scale farmers—to start out at their very own tempo with easy or superior setups, making it accessible to youth, girls, and retirees alike,” Arubasa famous.
“Past promoting stay pigs, important earnings come from value-added merchandise like bacon, sausages, ham, and packaged pork, which may drastically increase earnings and develop market attain,” he added.
Pig farming revenue mannequin
“With simply N2 million ($1,300), buyers can break into pig farming and scale to month-to-month earnings of N500,000 to N1.2 million ($330–$800) by means of the sale of piglets, pork meat, and native provide contracts,” mentioned Arubasa.
In line with Isaac Lordye, CEO of Badau Farms, the important thing to the enterprise lies in beginning lean and rising sensible. “With as little as N500,000, primary infrastructure and good breeding inventory, a small farm can rapidly turn into worthwhile,” he mentioned.
“The revenue margin is large,” Lordye acknowledged. “A single piglet can promote for anyplace between N50,000 and N70,000, and as soon as matured, a pig can fetch between N200,000 and N500,000.
“When you add easy pork-processing sausages, peppered pork, smoked cuts, you possibly can increase your revenue by 40 to 60 p.c each month.”
Arubasa emphasised the position of digital platforms in scaling operations. “A robust on-line presence means you’re not simply promoting domestically,” he famous.
“With Instagram, WhatsApp, and export-ready platforms like AfCFTA’s e-marketplace, farmers can attain diaspora patrons and bulk suppliers overseas,” he added.
Specialists imagine that with constant reinvestment, youth-led farms can develop into mini pork empires—hiring native workers, increasing into different African cities, and exporting to high-demand markets.
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World outlook
China stays the dominant pressure in international pork manufacturing, churning out greater than 57 million metric tons, based on FAO experiences.
The European Union and the USA are the second and third largest producers, respectively. The worldwide pork manufacturing surpassed 116 million metric tons in 2024.
Wanting forward, the U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA) initiatives modest progress in worldwide pork output in 2025.
Nonetheless, this improve is anticipated to coincide with a slight dip in international pork exports.
On the African continent, Nigeria stands out as the highest pig-producing nation. This positions Nigeria as a vital participant in Africa’s livestock sector and underscores the rising significance of native manufacturing in assembly regional protein demand.
Challenges
In line with specialists, pig farming faces a number of challenges, together with illness outbreaks, significantly in poor sanitary situations; excessive feed prices; fluctuating market costs; dangers from theft or predators requiring safe amenities; and environmental points resembling odour administration and correct waste disposal practices.
Suggestions for fulfillment
Agbarakwe pressured the significance of beginning small and regularly scaling operations to minimise danger. “Begin small and construct slowly,” he suggested.
Lordye highlighted the worth of meticulous record-keeping. “It’s important to trace each expense, feed kind, and well being file,” he mentioned.
Agbarakwe pressured the necessity for steady studying and staying up to date with business practices. “Becoming a member of a farmers’ group generally is a nice help system,” he famous. “And sustaining correct hygiene is completely non-negotiable,” he acknowledged.
