The Mangalitza

Sow

Sadly the pig shown above is not the Lincolnshire Curly Coat, it is the Mangalitza or Woolly Pig found in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Romania and Switzerland. There are records of the Lincoln being exported to Hungary and winning prizes at Hungarian shows so it is almost certain that an element of the Lincolnshire Curly Coat lives on in these very unusual pigs.

Imported into the UK in 2006 there are 7 female lines and 3 boar lines established. There are three distinct types within the breed. The Blonde, The Red and the unique Swallow Bellied (above) with its white underline. All three types are very hardy.

The Swallow bellied Mangalitza was developed in the 1800’s from crossing the Blonde with the Black Mangalitza. Unfortunately the Black pig became extinct in the 1970’s with the last known herd on the Serb islands in the Danube. The whole Mangalitza breed was almost lost with the total population world-wide down to less than 150 sows in 1993.

Once renowned as a Lard Pig capable of producing 70 litres of rendered fat the Mangalitza has carved out new niche markets in forestry projects and the production of special meat and salamis. The breed was featured at the Salone Del Gusto in Turin in 2004. Thanks to the work of a small group of dedicated breeders the Mangalitza has been brought back from the verge of extinction.

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[Breed Survey Results 2007]