The all-in cash cost to raise one pig from weaner to market weight in the Philippines runs ₱11,900 to ₱16,100 for backyard operations and ₱14,300 to ₱19,400 for commercial setups in 2026. Feed alone accounts for about 57% of that figure, per PIDS. Below is the full itemized breakdown so you can estimate costs for your specific situation.
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Pig Profit Simulator
Plug in your weaner cost, feed prices, and farmgate price to project profit per head.
Monthly Feed Cost Per Pig (Quick Answer)
A growing pig in the Philippines costs roughly ₱1,600-₱2,850 per month in feed alone, depending on growth stage:
| Growth stage | Pig weight | Feed intake/month | Cost/month (₱35-₱38/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 8-25 kg | 25-30 kg | ₱900-₱1,150 |
| Grower | 25-60 kg | 45-55 kg | ₱1,600-₱2,100 |
| Finisher | 60-100 kg | 65-75 kg | ₱2,300-₱2,850 |
Across the full 4.5-5 month grow-out, total feed cost averages ₱8,300-₱11,200 per pig. Backyard farms that mix copra meal, rice bran, or kitchen scraps into the ration can shave 15-30% off these monthly figures without slowing growth, provided protein stays at 16-18% during the grower phase.
Master Cost Table: Weaner to Market Weight (Per Head)
This table covers the full cycle from acquiring an 8-12 kg weaner piglet to selling a 90-100 kg market pig over approximately 4-5.5 months.
| Cost Item | Backyard Estimate | Commercial Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weaner piglet (8-12 kg) | ₱3,000 - ₱4,000 | ₱3,500 - ₱5,000 | ~₱3,500 typical for a Landrace x Large White cross; Duroc-sired runs higher. See best age to buy piglets |
| Feed, starter (8-25 kg) | ₱1,000 - ₱1,300 | ₱1,200 - ₱1,500 | ~30 kg feed @ ₱40-44/kg |
| Feed, grower (25-60 kg) | ₱3,000 - ₱3,800 | ₱3,400 - ₱4,200 | ~90-105 kg feed @ ₱35-38/kg |
| Feed, finisher (60-100 kg) | ₱4,300 - ₱5,400 | ₱4,900 - ₱5,500 | ~130-150 kg feed @ ₱35-38/kg |
| Vaccines and medications | ₱200 - ₱500 | ₱300 - ₱600 | Classical swine fever, deworming, vitamins |
| Housing (amortized per head) | ₱300 - ₱800 | ₱500 - ₱1,500 | Pen depreciation over 5-10 year life |
| Utilities (water, electricity) | ₱100 - ₱300 | ₱200 - ₱500 | Cooling, lighting, water system |
| Labor (amortized per head) | Family labor | ₱300 - ₱600 | Commercial: hired caretaker share |
| Total per head | ₱11,900 - ₱16,100 | ₱14,300 - ₱19,400 |
Backyard operations save on labor (family-run) and housing (simpler structures), but typically have worse FCR and higher mortality, which can offset those savings. Commercial setups spend more upfront but achieve better feed efficiency and uniformity. Honestly, most backyard farmers in the Visayas land somewhere in the middle of these ranges, around ₱13,000-₱14,000 per head. Note that the per-head numbers above are cash operating costs only. The one-time CAPEX (pen, septic, deep well, biosecurity, generator, permits) is a separate budget that most first-timers underestimate by ₱150,000 to ₱500,000. See hidden pig farm startup costs for the 12 categories most plans miss.
Feed Cost Detail by Growth Phase
Feed is the largest cost component. Here is what to expect per phase using commercial pre-mixed feeds at July 2026 prices.
| Growth Phase | Weight Range | Feed Needed | Days | Price/50 kg Sack | Sacks Needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Starter | 8 - 15 kg | 10 - 14 kg | 12 - 18 | ₱2,000 - ₱2,300 | 0.2 - 0.3 | ₱400 - ₱560 |
| Starter | 15 - 25 kg | 20 - 28 kg | 18 - 25 | ₱1,900 - ₱2,200 | 0.4 - 0.6 | ₱760 - ₱1,230 |
| Grower | 25 - 60 kg | 90 - 108 kg | 40 - 55 | ₱1,750 - ₱1,910 | 1.8 - 2.2 | ₱3,150 - ₱4,200 |
| Finisher | 60 - 100 kg | 130 - 150 kg | 45 - 55 | ₱1,750 - ₱1,900 | 2.6 - 3.0 | ₱4,550 - ₱5,700 |
| Total | 250 - 300 kg | 115 - 153 | 5.0 - 6.1 | ₱8,300 - ₱11,200 |
Major commercial feed brands in the Philippines include B-MEG (San Miguel), Thunderbird, Vitarich, Sarimanok, Pilmico (Aboitiz), and Cargill. Premium grower runs ₱1,750-₱1,910 per 50 kg sack as of 12 July 2026, or ₱34.90-₱38.20/kg, with finisher at the low end of that band. Prices vary by 10-15% across regions. Feed in Mindanao (Davao, Bukidnon) tends to run ₱50-100/sack cheaper than in Metro Manila or Cebu because of proximity to corn and copra sources. Buying in bulk (by the pallet) typically saves another ₱50-100 per sack on top of that.
If you are in a corn-producing area like Bukidnon or Isabela, mixing your own grower/finisher ration with local corn and copra meal can cut feed costs by 20-30%. See cheapest way to feed pigs and alternative feeding systems for formulas.
For a more detailed analysis of feed economics and locally mixed rations, see The Real Cost of Pig Feed in the Philippines.
Vaccines and Medication Checklist
A basic health program for grow-out pigs in Philippine conditions, following FAO swine health recommendations:
| Item | When | Cost per Head | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classical swine fever vaccine | Day 1 and booster at 45 days | ₱40 - ₱80 | Required. Often labeled "CSF" or "swine fever" on the vial |
| Iron dextran injection | Day 3 (if from own sow) | ₱15 - ₱25 | Prevents piglet anemia. Not needed if buying weaners already treated |
| Deworming (ivermectin/fenbendazole) | Day 30 and Day 75 | ₱30 - ₱60 | Two rounds minimum for grow-out |
| Vitamins (B-complex, ADE) | Monthly or as needed | ₱40 - ₱80 | Stress periods, post-vaccination |
| Antibiotic reserve | As needed | ₱50 - ₱200 | Respiratory or enteric disease. Consult vet |
| Wound spray / antiseptic | As needed | ₱20 - ₱40 | Tail biting, pen injuries |
| Total health program | ₱195 - ₱485 |
Vaccinate before or on the day of arrival. Stressed weaners that skip vaccination are the highest-risk group for classical swine fever outbreaks. One outbreak in a 10-head batch can wipe your entire ₱150,000 investment in days.
See how to inject pigs for proper technique.
Breakeven Calculation
Once you know your total cost per head, calculating breakeven is straightforward:
Breakeven ₱/kg = Total Cost / Target Market Weight
| Scenario | Total Cost | Target Weight | Breakeven ₱/kg | Market ₱/kg (Jul 2026) | Profit/Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard (low cost, mixed feed) | ₱11,900 | 95 kg | ₱125 | ₱185 | ₱5,675 |
| Backyard (average) | ₱14,000 | 95 kg | ₱147 | ₱185 | ₱3,575 |
| Commercial (average) | ₱16,500 | 100 kg | ₱165 | ₱185 | ₱2,000 |
| Commercial (high cost) | ₱19,400 | 100 kg | ₱194 | ₱185 | -₱900 (loss) |
That ₱194/kg breakeven on the high-cost commercial row is the one to stare at, because it sits above the market. Farmgate has not recovered the way the headlines suggest. SINAG puts the industry average at ₱180-₱190/kg as of May 2026, and eFeedLink trade quotes run ₱183-₱193. Call it ₱185. At ₱185 that high-cost commercial farm loses about ₱900 a head, and during the late-2025 crash to ₱150-₱180/kg it was losing ₱1,400-₱4,400. The low-cost backyard farm at ₱125/kg breakeven came through both. That spread, not the average, is what decides who is still raising pigs after a price shock.
At ₱185/kg, a backyard operation with good management and some local-feed mixing clears roughly ₱3,500-₱5,700 per head. Pure commercial-feed setups sit near breakeven or under it. SINAG and the hog farmers' federation independently put the national cost of production at about ₱180/kg, so the average farm in this country is selling at close to its own cost. Family labor and a paid-off pen are what keep a backyard raiser on the right side of that line. Barely. The key variable is feed cost. A ₱2/kg rise in feed price adds roughly ₱500-₱600 to total cost per head. If feed price volatility is what worries you most, contract growing with an integrator shifts that risk to Monterey, CPF, or a co-op in exchange for a fixed grower fee of ₱400-₱950 per head.
Farmgate prices move fast, and they are lower than most guides admit. PSA had liveweight at ₱191.51/kg in Q3 2025, ₱182.83 in Q4 2025, and ₱176.03 on average for Q1 2026 (Jan ₱172.56, Feb ₱176.31, Mar ₱179.23). SINAG's May 2026 industry average is ₱180-₱190/kg. The DA set a ₱210/kg minimum farmgate price on 4 Nov 2025 and no month, in no region, has ever reached it. It is a target the DA wants, not a floor you will be paid, so do not build a budget on it. The regional order is not what people assume either: in March 2026 the top prices were Cordillera at ₱208.88 and Eastern Visayas at ₱206.70, while Central Luzon sat mid-pack at ₱178.41, Negros at ₱163.19, and SOCCSKSARGEN last at ₱152.63. There is no dependable Luzon premium. Check your own province before you trust any national average. Today's figures sit on the state of the industry dashboard; for the regional read see the liveweight price by region guide; for breed-specific numbers see crossbreed pig prices.
For more on breakeven analysis, see Pig Farming Breakeven Calculator.
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Break-Even Price Calculator
Plug in your total cost and target market weight to get your exact breakeven price per kg, the price below which you actually lose money on a sale.
10-Head Batch Example
Here is what a small backyard operator raising 10 pigs per batch might expect:
| Item | Per Head | 10-Head Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Weaners | ₱3,500 | ₱35,000 |
| Feed (all phases) | ₱9,200 | ₱92,000 |
| Vaccines/meds | ₱350 | ₱3,500 |
| Housing (amortized) | ₱500 | ₱5,000 |
| Utilities | ₱200 | ₱2,000 |
| Total investment | ₱13,750 | ₱137,500 |
| Revenue (95 kg @ ₱185/kg, the mid-2026 average) | ₱17,575 | ₱175,750 |
| Gross profit | ₱3,825 | ₱38,250 |
| Mortality adjustment (5%) | -₱8,790 (0.5 head lost) | |
| Net profit (after mortality) | ₱29,460 |
This is priced at ₱185/kg, the farmgate that actually exists in mid-2026, not the ₱210 the DA says you should be getting. Roughly ₱29,500 profit on ₱137,500 over about 5 months, a 21% per-cycle return. If liveweight climbs back to ₱200 the same batch nets around ₱43,000, but it has not printed ₱200 since mid-2025, so plan at ₱185 and treat anything above it as a bonus. Note also that this batch only works because the cost per head is ₱13,750, or ₱145/kg. The national cost of production is about ₱180/kg. Run your costs up to that and the profit is gone. For the full profit picture, scenario by scenario, with risk, financing, and the upside cases, pig farming profit for 10 pigs is the dedicated breakdown; this article stays focused on the cost side. For absentee-owner line items see the real cost of a pig farm for OFW investors, and for CAPEX recovery time see pig farm payback period.
The catch: you need close to ₱140,000 upfront for a 10-head batch, and revenue arrives only at the end. That's about 5 months of spending before you see a single peso back. One disease outbreak can wipe the batch. If you cannot afford to lose the entire investment, start with 3-5 heads first.
Most first-time farmers we talk to underestimate this cash flow gap.
Magkano Puhunan? Capital Needed by Scale
The cost-per-head figures assume the pen and water system already exist. If you're starting from zero, the upfront capital is a separate, bigger number, and it's the one most "magkano puhunan sa baboyan" searches actually want.
| Scale | Operating cost/batch | One-time setup (pen, water, biosecurity) | Realistic total to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 heads (test batch) | ₱40,000-₱48,000 | ₱15,000-₱40,000 | ₱55,000-₱88,000 |
| 5 heads | ₱65,000-₱80,000 | ₱25,000-₱60,000 | ₱90,000-₱140,000 |
| 10 heads | ₱130,000-₱160,000 | ₱50,000-₱120,000 | ₱180,000-₱280,000 |
| 20 heads | ₱260,000-₱320,000 | ₱120,000-₱250,000 | ₱380,000-₱570,000 |
The setup range is wide on purpose: a bamboo-and-GI-sheet backyard pen is a fraction of a concrete pen with a deep well and proper septic. The full tier-by-tier breakdown is in magkano puhunan sa baboyan: capital tiers, and the line items first-timers forget are in hidden pig farm startup costs. No capital? DA SAAD's free piglet program and DSWD SLP seed capital are the two routes backyard raisers actually use.
Cost by Target Sell Weight (80 vs 90 vs 100 kg)
Feeding a pig past 90 kg gets more expensive per kilo, because FCR worsens as the pig matures. Whether the extra weight pays depends on farmgate price the day you sell.
| Sell weight | Total cost/head | Cost/kg | Revenue @ ₱185/kg | Profit/head |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 kg | ₱11,800-₱13,400 | ₱148-₱168 | ₱14,800 | ₱1,400-₱3,000 |
| 90 kg | ₱13,000-₱14,800 | ₱144-₱164 | ₱16,650 | ₱1,850-₱3,650 |
| 100 kg | ₱14,400-₱16,400 | ₱144-₱164 | ₱18,500 | ₱2,100-₱4,100 |
The sweet spot for most backyard crosses is 90-100 kg. Below 80 kg you haven't spread the fixed weaner cost over enough kilos; past 105-110 kg the feed-per-kilo cost climbs faster than the extra revenue unless you have a lechon buyer paying a premium for a bigger pig.
How Sensitive Is This to Feed Price?
Feed is about 57% of hog operating cost (PIDS), so a feed price swing moves your whole budget. Feed has climbed ₱1-₱2/kg through 2026 and no miller has announced a rollback. Corn is 50-65% of the formulation and its tariff was not cut, so do not budget for feed getting cheaper.
| Feed price | Feed cost/head (275 kg) | All-in cost/head | Breakeven @ 95 kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₱32/kg (good self-mix blend) | ₱8,800 | ₱12,500 | ₱132/kg |
| ₱37/kg (typical commercial, mid-2026) | ₱10,175 | ₱13,875 | ₱146/kg |
| ₱40/kg (premium plus island freight) | ₱11,000 | ₱14,700 | ₱155/kg |
An ₱8/kg difference in feed price is roughly ₱2,200 per head, or ₱22,000 across a 10-head batch. That is why farmers in corn-and-copra areas who self-mix have a structural edge, and why the feed economics deep-dive is worth a full read before you scale.
Run Your Own Numbers
Every operation is different. Feed prices, weaner source, mortality rate, and local market price determine actual profit. These tools allow modeling for specific conditions:
- Profit Simulator: input costs and see projected profit per head and per batch
- Feed Calculator: estimate feed consumption and cost by growth phase
- Break-even Calculator: the minimum farmgate price that covers your costs
- FCR Calculator: track your actual feed conversion, the lever that moves cost most
Sources: PSA farmgate price of hogs for slaughter (₱191.51/kg liveweight Q3 2025, ₱182.83 Q4 2025, ₱176.03 Q1 2026), DA ₱210/kg minimum farmgate price, Nov 2025 (PNA), which no month or region has yet reached. SINAG industry average ₱180-₱190/kg and cost of production about ₱180/kg, May 2026. Feed share of operating cost from PIDS. July 2026 feed pricing cross-checked against B-MEG, Vitarich, and Sarimanok distributor lists.
Bisaya / Cebuano
Pila gyud ang gasto sa pagpadako og usa ka baboy?
Kung commercial cross (LW x Landrace), 100% commercial feed:
| Gasto | Kantidad |
|---|---|
| Weaner (8-12 kg) | ₱3,000-₱4,000 |
| Feeds (starter + grower + finisher) | ₱8,300-₱11,200 |
| Bakuna + dewormer | ₱200-₱500 |
| Tubig, kuryente, quicklime | ₱100-₱300 |
| Tangkal (amortized) | ₱300-₱800 |
| Total | ₱11,900-₱16,100 |
Kung mixed feeding (commercial concentrate + darak + copra meal): Mahimo ka makatipig og ₱2,000-₱3,000 matag ulo sa feeds. Ang total mogamay ngadto sa ₱11,900-₱13,000. Pero kinahanglan ka mahibalo sa tamang ratio, dili basta-basta lang isagol.
Pila ang ganansya? Kung ibaligya sa 95 kg ug ang farmgate ₱185/kg (mao ni ang tinuod nga presyo karong tunga-tunga sa 2026, dili ₱210), ang revenue ₱17,575. Kung ang gasto ₱13,500, ang ganansya mga ₱4,000 matag ulo. Sa 10 ka baboy, mga ₱32,000 sa usa ka batch (mga 5 ka bulan), human na ang mortality. Hinumdumi, ang gasto sa pag-alima sa nasod mga ₱180 kada kilo. Kung mosaka ang imong gasto ngadto ana, wala nay ganansya.
Ang pinaka-common nga sayop: dili pag-track sa tinuod nga gasto. Daghan og mag-uuma moingon "mga ₱12,000 siguro ang gasto" pero wala sila kabalo kung ₱12,000 ba o ₱16,000. Ang kalainan niini ₱4,000 matag ulo, o ₱40,000 sa 10 ka baboy. Mao na ang kalainan sa profitable ug break-even.
Buhata kini: Pagkahuman sa imong sunod batch, ilista ang TANAN nga gasto. Matag sako sa feeds, matag bakuna, matag bayad sa kuryente. Pagkahuman, i-divide sa gidaghanon sa baboy nga nabaligya. Mao na ang imong tinuod nga cost per head. Gamita ang Profit Simulator aron makita ang posible nga kita sa imong sunod nga batch.
Related reading:
- Pig Feed Consumption Chart by Weight: daily intake and total feed per phase
- The Real Cost of Pig Feed: detailed feed economics with brand comparison
- Cheapest Way to Feed Pigs: budget feeding strategies
- Best Age to Buy Piglets for Fattening: weaner selection guide
- Sow vs Fattener: which earns more?: 30x profit differential math at scale
- OWWA EDLP loan for OFW piggery: ₱100k to ₱2M financing at 7.5%
- Production Cycle Framework: production cycle management
- Crossbreed Pig Price Philippines: current farmgate prices by breed and region
- Maggot wound and flystrike treatment: how a ₱2,000 wound becomes a ₱15,000 carcass if ignored
For the full set of money and profitability articles, see the Money & Profitability topic cluster.
Sources: PSA Farmgate Price of Pigs for Slaughter (₱191.51/kg Q3 2025; ₱176.03/kg Q1 2026), DA sets ₱210/kg minimum farmgate price, Nov 2025 (PNA), a target that has never been reached in the PSA series, DA-BAI Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) for Swine, ThePigSite feed cost analysis, FAO swine health recommendations, DA INSPIRE program. Feed pricing cross-checked against B-MEG, Vitarich, and Sarimanok distributor lists, 12 July 2026. Figures represent typical ranges and vary by location and management level.
