China's hog production: From backyard to large-scale

- Data were collected in 5 provinces representing China's major agroecological zones.
- We estimated equations with sample weights.
- An increase in wealth motivates farmers to abandon backyard hog production.
- Wealth and herd size among large-scale hog producers are positive.

China's hog production has undergone significant structural transition, from the traditional backyard production mode to the large-scale production mode. In this study, we illustrate the linkage between economic development and the transition in hog production mode. Using unique and nationally representative survey data, we find that an increase in farmer wealth motivates them to transition away from backyard hog production. However, the relationship between wealth and herd size among large-scale hog producers is positive. With farmer wealth increasing rapidly, the transition of China's hog production toward the large-scale mode is expected to continue; this will have significant implications for not only hog production, but also the feed sector and many other related sectors.