Pig Offal

Overview

Production

Country Production

Nutrition

What is Pig Offal?

Pig offal refers to the internal organs of a pig that are commonly consumed as food. These include the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, intestines, spleen, and stomach. Pig offal is a popular ingredient in many cultures and cuisines, as it is versatile and can be prepared in a variety of ways.

Pig liver, for example, is often used in pâtés, sausages, and other charcuterie. Pig kidneys are also used in sausages and stews, while pork lungs are sometimes used in traditional dishes such as haggis. Pig intestines can be used to make sausages, while the stomach is often used to make dishes such as tripe soup.

While pork offal can be a nutritious source of protein and other nutrients, it is important to properly clean and cook the organs to avoid any potential health risks. It is also worth noting that some people may find the taste or texture of pork offal unappealing, so it is ultimately a matter of personal preference whether or not to consume it.

Pig Offal Production in the World

The global production of Pig Offal plays a significant role in agriculture and trade. As of 2023, China is the top producer, contributing 2,549,501 tonnes, which accounts for 41.20% of the total global production. United States ranks second, producing 820,259 tonnes, representing 13.26% of the world's output. Other significant producers include Vietnam, Brazil, and Russia, with production levels of 408,673, 348,191, and 316,717 tonnes, respectively. Tajikistan has the lowest production among the listed countries, contributing just 1 tonnes in 2023. In total, global production of Pig Offal reached approximately 6,187,931 tonnes in 2023.

Top 10 countries by Pig Offal production 2023

Countries Ranked by Pig Offal Production in 2023

Source:FAOSTAT
Last Updated: 23 Jan 2025

Rank	Country	Production (Tonnes)
1	China	2,549,501
2	United States	820,259
3	Vietnam	408,673
4	Brazil	348,191
5	Russia	316,717
6	Philippines	255,380
7	South Korea	191,980
8	Mexico	165,369
9	Japan	138,759
10	Canada	133,857
11	Thailand	91,463
12	United Kingdom	71,918
13	Argentina	68,498
14	Taiwan	58,359
15	Chile	49,139
16	Ukraine	39,341
17	Australia	39,316
18	India	37,473
19	Belarus	26,659
20	Ecuador	22,812
21	Serbia	21,671
22	South Africa	21,383
23	Colombia	20,847
24	Peru	20,335
25	Nigeria	16,217
26	Myanmar	16,015
27	Indonesia	15,628
28	Malawi	14,922
29	Lao PDR	14,779
30	Burkina Faso	12,587
31	Uganda	11,303
32	Hong Kong	9,816
33	Nepal	9,760
34	Venezuela	9,319
35	North Korea	9,077
36	Switzerland	8,442
37	Cuba	7,147
38	Angola	6,951
39	Cambodia	6,305
40	Papua New Guinea	5,522
41	Norway	5,421
42	Kazakhstan	5,371
43	Cameroon	5,092
44	Tanzania	4,758
45	Georgia	4,423
46	Bolivia	4,338
47	Mozambique	4,272
48	Malaysia	4,181
49	Dominican Republic	4,005
50	Guatemala	3,724
51	Paraguay	3,384
52	Costa Rica	3,197
53	Kenya	2,769
54	Democratic Republic of the Congo	2,764
55	Senegal	2,387
56	Armenia	2,384
57	Ghana	2,287
58	New Zealand	2,116
59	Panama	1,841
60	Haiti	1,560
61	Jamaica	1,532
62	Moldova	1,522
63	Zambia	1,338
64	Uruguay	1,083
65	North Macedonia	1,070
66	Togo	1,050
67	Israel	1,003
68	Central African Republic	968
69	Madagascar	886
70	Zimbabwe	886
71	Benin	831
72	Bosnia and Herzegovina	825
73	Guinea-Bissau	807
74	Timor-Leste	789
75	Burundi	771
76	Singapore	749
77	Nicaragua	676
78	Cote d'Ivoire	532
79	Honduras	490
80	Namibia	489
81	Liberia	486
82	Albania	435
83	Iceland	409
84	Kyrgyzstan	381
85	Macao	367
86	Rwanda	366
87	Puerto Rico	323
88	Gabon	323
89	Montenegro	270
90	El Salvador	269
91	Solomon Islands	261
92	Uzbekistan	231
93	Vanuatu	230
94	New Caledonia	209
95	Chad	184
96	Guinea	180
97	Bhutan	174
98	Niger	151
99	Mongolia	146
100	Suriname	145
101	Belize	128
102	Tonga	118
103	Ethiopia	115
104	Cabo Verde	113
105	Trinidad and Tobago	107
106	Samoa	102
107	Fiji	97
108	Eswatini	90
109	Barbados	82
110	Micronesia	78
111	Lesotho	77
112	Sierra Leone	74
113	St. Lucia	71
114	Kiribati	67
115	Egypt	66
116	Botswana	60
117	Mali	60
118	Lebanon	55
119	Republic of the Congo	55
120	French Polynesia	54
121	Morocco	44
122	Sao Tome and Principe	39
123	Grenada	38
124	Azerbaijan	35
125	The Gambia	32
126	Seychelles	31
127	Guyana	30
128	Cook Islands	26
129	Sri Lanka	25
130	Mauritius	21
131	Equatorial Guinea	20
132	Turkmenistan	20
133	Dominica	18
134	The Bahamas	16
135	St. Vincent and the Grenadines	13
136	Algeria	11
137	Somalia	10
138	Tuvalu	8
139	Nauru	6
140	Niue	5
141	Brunei Darussalam	3
142	Tokelau	3
143	Tunisia	2
144	St. Kitts and Nevis	2
145	Antigua and Barbuda	2
146	Tajikistan	1

Health Benefits of Pig Offal

Consuming pork offal not only provides essential nutrients but also offers various potential health benefits. Below are some of the advantages of incorporating pork offal into your diet:

May improve immune function: Pig offal, including liver and kidney, contains abundant amounts of vitamin A, a crucial nutrient that helps in maintaining a robust immune system.
May support healthy digestion: Pig stomach and intestines can provide beneficial probiotics that can help support healthy digestion and nutrient absorption.
May support brain health: Pig offal is rich in vitamin B12, a crucial nutrient that aids in the proper functioning of the nervous system and can promote optimal brain health.
May support healthy bones: Vitamin D, an essential nutrient that is important for maintaining bone health and reducing the risk of osteoporosis, is abundant in pork offal, including liver and kidneys.
May support healthy vision: Pig liver is a high-quality source of vitamin A, a vital nutrient that aids in maintaining healthy vision and preventing eye disorders.

It is worth noting that the health benefits of pork offal can vary depending on the specific organ and how it is prepared. Additionally, while pork offal can provide many health benefits, it should be consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.

Regional Variety of Pig Offal

Pig offal, which refers to the internal organs and entrails of a pig, can have regional variations in terms of culinary traditions and preferred cuts. Here are some examples of the regional variety in pork offal:

East Asian Cuisine: In East Asian cuisines such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, various cuts of pork offal are commonly used. Examples include the pig's liver, kidneys, intestines, stomach (tripe), and ears. These cuts are used in dishes like stir-fries, soups, hot pots, and barbecues.
Southeast Asian Cuisine: In Southeast Asian cuisines like Vietnamese, Thai, and Filipino, pork offal is also widely consumed. Popular cuts include a pig's liver, heart, kidneys, lungs, intestines, and ears. They are used in dishes like soups, stews, noodle dishes, and grills.
European Cuisine: European cuisines have their traditional pork offal dishes. In countries like Italy, France, and Spain, cuts like pig's liver, kidneys, and heart are used in recipes like pâtés, sausages, and stews.
Latin American Cuisine: In Latin American cuisine, pork offal is often used in various traditional dishes. Examples include chitterlings (intestines), liver, and heart, which are used in stews, soups, and grilled preparations.

It's important to note that the specific cuts of pork offal used and the cooking methods employed can differ based on local culinary traditions and personal preferences within each region. Additionally, there may be further regional variations within countries and across different communities.

Nutritional Information of Pig Offal

Here are the approximate nutrient values in 100 grams of cooked pork offal:

Calories: 165 kcal
Protein: 23 g
Fat: 7 g
Carbohydrates: 0 g
Cholesterol: 259 mg
Iron: 7.6 mg
Zinc: 4.4 mg
Vitamin B12: 4.4 mcg

Please note that the nutrient values may vary depending on the specific type of pork offal and the method of cooking.

Types of Pig Offal

Here are some of the most common types of pork offal:

Liver: The liver is a large, reddish-brown organ that is high in iron and vitamin A.
Kidney: The kidneys are small, bean-shaped organs that filter waste products from the blood and produce urine. They are high in protein and vitamin A.
Heart: The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body. It is high in protein, vitamin B12, and iron.
Tongue: The tongue is a muscular organ that is used for tasting and swallowing food. It is high in protein and iron.
Tripe: Tripe is the stomach lining of pigs and other animals. It is high in protein and vitamin B12.
Brain: The brain is a soft, grayish-pink organ that is high in cholesterol and omega-3 fatty acids.
Spleen: The spleen is a small, dark-red organ that filters blood and helps to fight infection. It is high in protein and iron.

These are just a few examples, and many other types of pork offal are consumed in different cultures and cuisines.

Uses of Pig Offal

Pig offal can be used in a variety of ways in cooking and food preparation. Here are some common uses of pig offal:

Sausages: Pig offal, such as liver, heart, and kidneys, can be used as ingredients in sausages, adding flavor and texture to the meat.
Pâtés and terrines: Pig liver is commonly used to make pâtés and terrines, which are spreadable mixtures typically served as appetizers.
Soups and stews: Pig offal, such as lungs, kidneys, and stomach, can be used in soups and stews to add flavor and nutrition.
Tacos and burritos: Pig tongue and cheeks are commonly used in tacos and burritos, where their tender texture and rich flavor can be appreciated.
Traditional dishes: Pig offal is used in many traditional dishes around the world, such as haggis in Scotland, menudo in Mexico, and liver dumplings in Germany.
Pet food: Pig offal can also be used in pet food, as it is a good source of protein and other essential nutrients.

Overall, pig offal is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide range of dishes, adding nutrition and flavor to the meal. However, it is important to properly clean and cook the organs to avoid any potential health risks.