Genus announces pig production agreement in China

The new partnership will see Genus’ porcine genetics division, Genus PIC, exclusively stock and sustain Riverstone’s new pig production project in China. The total herd size is expected to be 24,000 sows. Riverstone is a joint venture between Black River Capital Partners Food Fund Holdings (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Pipestone System, a leading US pig management company. According to Genus, the agreement with Riverstone positions it for additional growth "by providing significant new capacity without material upfront investment and with lower commodity risk exposure". Genus will also be able to develop its royalty revenue model in China. Karim Bitar, chief executive, Genus, said: "As the largest market for pork globally, we continue to see long-term growth potential in China. We are seeking to build capacity in the country, whilst reducing the upfront investment and exposure to commodity risk, and this first commercial multiplication partnership represents an important milestone in this strategy." The project comprises four breeding farms in Shandong, eastern China, which are capable of producing more than 600,000 pigs for market, annually. It also includes a dedicated artificial insemination stud to house sire line boars for commercial pig production and dam line males for great-grandparent and grandparent matings. The first module of pigs (6,200) will be ready for stocking in the first quarter of 2015, and will produce grandparent and parent gilts for both Genus and Riverstone as well as supplying the market with prime slaughter pigs, said Genus. Wei Guo, director, Riverstone, said: "Genus represents the industry leader in porcine genetics and we are excited to be working with Genus in order to achieve the growth opportunities in China. Riverstone’s aim is to produce safe pork in an efficient and environmentally-friendly way. Partnering with Genus will enable us to focus on our commercial production to achieve this aim."

Genus announces pig production agreement in China

Global animal genetics company Genus, has entered into a strategic partnership with River Stone Farm (Shandong) Co, in China, in an agreement which will see it become the Group’s first commercial multiplier in China.

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