Although there are great regional variations, pigmeat in its various forms is a very important part of the world's food. Annual production is now in excess of 54 million tonnes. In deciding his strategy the producer has to take note of many factors, including changing demand in respect of both quantity and quality, price of feed, and increasingly stringent government regulations. However, the pig's relatively short life-cycle and large number of offspring per year make it easier to respond to such changes, compared with cattle. This article reviews the present state of the industry and its future prospects.
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