The origins of pig farming in Mexico

In Mexico, states such as Jalisco, Sonora, Puebla, and Yucatan stand out as the main representatives of pig farming, with Yucatan being the only region with a deep-rooted pig production in the southeast of the country. Let's delve into the origins of pig farming in Mexico. Literature points to two parallel moments in the domestication of pigs: the first in the west of Asia and the east of Africa around 13,000 years ago, and the other specifically in China, now the world's leading pork producer, about 4,900 years BC. This makes the pig one of the first animals to be domesticated by humans. These practices led to the domestication of pigs in Europe around 1,500 years BC, from which three major groups of pigs emerged: - Asian Pigs: characterized by their short and thick anatomy. - Nordic Pigs: known for their longer bodies, tall limbs, and arched backs. - Mediterranean Pigs: with intermediate characteristics, resembling a cross between the two aforementioned types. It was the Mediterranean pig species that traveled with Christopher Columbus on his journey to the American continent. During his voyage, the Mediterranean pig species also spread to Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador. A century later, Asian and European species were brought to Mexico by the Spanish. These species bred freely and gave rise to the Creole pig species. Records indicate that in the 20th century, improved breeds were imported, and over several decades, pig farming in Mexico developed to become the second largest source of meat in the country, even becoming the most important livestock activity by production volume in the 1970s. Today: Pig Farming in Yucatan As previously mentioned, Yucatan is currently among the leading states in Mexico in producing high-quality pork, thanks to the growth of pig farming in Mexico. For decades, many generations have perfected pig breeding, resulting in a vast gastronomic wealth, with internationally recognized dishes such as "Cochinita Pibil" and "Tacos al Pastor," to name a few. You might be interested in this note: Sustainable Models in Global Pig Farming. Sources: Information obtained from the Government of Mexico website.