International Pig Day: the contribution of pig farming to Ecuador's productive development
Pig farming creates jobs, investment and protein for Ecuadorian families, who eat about 12 kilos of pork per person each year. Mirza González, president of ASPE, highlights what the sector brings to the country.
Every March 15, International Pig Day is observed, a date that invites us to recognize the value of one of the most dynamic livestock sectors in the world and, at the same time, to reflect on its impact on the economy, nutrition, and employment.
In Ecuador, pig farming has become a key productive activity that creates jobs in rural areas, drives technological innovation, and strengthens the country’s food security. Behind every cut of pork that reaches Ecuadorian tables lies a production chain that involves producers, technicians, veterinarians, transporters, processing centers, and points of sale.
Ecuadorian pig production has made significant progress in recent years. Today, the sector works with increasingly higher standards in genetics, animal welfare, and production efficiency, allowing it to offer safe, quality food for families.
Pig farming also drives local economies in different regions of the country. Farms, processing plants, and distribution centers generate direct and indirect employment, contributing to the growth of rural communities and strengthening the national productive fabric.
For Mirza González, president of the Ecuadorian Pig Farmers Association (ASPE) and manager of Topigs Norsvin Ecuador, one of our companies, the growth of the sector reflects the joint effort of those who work daily to strengthen this activity.
“Ecuadorian pig farming is a production chain that generates employment, drives investment, and contributes to the nutrition of thousands of families. Celebrating International Pig Day is also a way to recognize the work of an entire sector that contributes to the country’s development,” she says.
A nutritious and versatile food
Pork is also an important food within a balanced diet. It is a source of high biological value protein, B-complex vitamins, and minerals such as iron and zinc, nutrients essential for the body’s function.
Its versatility in the kitchen makes it an ingredient present in numerous traditional and contemporary dishes, which has contributed to its growing consumption in recent years. In Ecuador, pork has become one of the main sources of animal protein in the daily diet, with consumption of approximately 12 kilograms per person per year.
Commitment to responsible production
Companies dedicated to pig production today work with a modern vision of the activity: producing more and better, responsibly toward animals, the environment, and consumers.
At Agroindustrias González, we share that commitment. We believe in production that combines technical knowledge, innovation, and responsibility, to offer quality food and contribute to the country’s development.
On International Pig Day, we recognize the work of everyone who is part of this chain and reaffirm our conviction to keep contributing to sustainable production that strengthens Ecuadorian agriculture and the nutrition of families.