From the archive record
An Indian butcher chops pork ribs at a shop. Pork production in India is limited, representing only 7% of the country’s animal protein sources. Production is concentrated mainly in the northeastern corner of the country and consists primarily of backyard and informal sector producers (refer Table 2). According to 18th Livestock Census of India (2007), the total swine population, while small, has grown consistently over the past 50 years. However, in the most recent decade, the population has declined to approximately 12 million head from a high of 14 million in 2003, as indicated by the 17th Livestock Census of India. The major reason for this decline may be due to animal disease outbreaks. The Indian market for processed pork products is small, and the majority of this market is supplied