One of the most common questions from new pig farmers: "Kanus-a na pwede ibaligya ang baboy?" (When can I sell the pig?)
The answer depends on three things: the breed, how you feed, and what size your buyer wants. Getting the timing wrong in either direction costs money — sell too early and you leave profit on the table, sell too late and you are feeding a pig that has stopped growing efficiently.
"Tambok na kaayo, panahon na ibaligya." (Already very fat, time to sell.)
Growth Timelines by Breed Type
| Type | Starting Weight | Target Market Weight | Typical Grow-Out | Average Daily Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native pig | 5–8 kg (weaned) | 50–60 kg | 6–8 months | 0.15–0.25 kg/day |
| Native × commercial cross | 8–12 kg | 70–80 kg | 5–6 months | 0.35–0.50 kg/day |
| Commercial (backyard fed) | 10–15 kg | 80–100 kg | 5–6 months | 0.55–0.75 kg/day |
| Commercial (intensive) | 10–15 kg | 90–110 kg | 4.5–5.5 months | 0.70–0.85 kg/day |
These timelines assume adequate feeding and basic health management (deworming, clean water). Pigs on kitchen scraps alone will take significantly longer.
What Buyers Actually Want
Standard slaughter hog
Most traders (viajeros) and wet market butchers want pigs in the 80–100 kg liveweight range. At this weight, the dressing percentage (meat yield after slaughter) is typically 72–78%, giving enough volume of saleable cuts.
Pigs lighter than 70 kg are generally sold at a discount — the meat yield is too low for butchers to profit. Pigs heavier than 110 kg get discounted too because of excess backfat.
Lechon size
For whole roast pig (lechon), buyers typically want 18–25 kg liveweight — usually pigs that are 2–3 months old. Lechon de leche (suckling pig) is 6–10 kg. These command a premium price per kilo because of high demand for fiestas, weddings, and town celebrations.
Native pig premium
Native pigs sell at a premium per kilo for lechon because of their distinctive flavor. Even at 50–60 kg (smaller than commercial market weight), native pigs can earn more per kilo than commercial hogs. The trade-off is slower growth.
How to Know When Your Pig Is Ready
Experienced farmers use visual and physical cues:
- Back is broad and flat — not bony or ridged along the spine
- Belly hangs low and is full — "puno na ang lawas" (the body is already full)
- Moves with a heavy, slow gait — not running around energetically
- Skin is tight and smooth — not loose and wrinkled
The most reliable method is weighing. If you do not have a scale, use a weight estimation tape (available at veterinary supply stores) — measure the heart girth (just behind the front legs) and use the conversion table.
Timing Your Sale for Best Price
Pig prices fluctuate seasonally in the Philippines:
- Highest prices: November–January (Christmas, New Year, Sinulog, fiesta season)
- Also high: May (graduation celebrations, town fiestas)
- Lowest prices: March–April (hot season, lower demand)
If you are raising a batch for profit, buy your weaners in July–August to sell at market weight in December–January when prices peak. This is one of the simplest strategies for improving your return.
What Slows Down Your Pig
If your pig is not reaching market weight in the expected timeframe, the most common causes are:
- Parasites — internal worms reduce weight gain by up to 40%. Deworm every 3–4 months.
- Insufficient feed — pigs that do not eat 3–4% of their body weight daily in feed will grow slowly.
- Heat stress — above 30°C, feed intake drops. Provide shade, water, and ventilation.
- Disease — chronic respiratory infections or subclinical scours reduce nutrient absorption.
Bisaya / Cebuano
Para sa mga mag-uuma
Kanus-a pwede ibaligya ang baboy?
- Native nga baboy: 6–8 ka bulan para maabot ang 50–60 kg
- Crossbreed: 5–6 ka bulan para maabot ang 70–80 kg
- Commercial: 5–6 ka bulan para maabot ang 80–100 kg
Ang labing maayo nga panahon sa pagbaligya: Nobyembre hangtod Enero — pinakataas ang presyo tungod sa Pasko ug mga pista.
Kung gusto nimo makaginansya, palit og baktin sa Hulyo–Agosto para ibaligya sa Disyembre.
Learn More
- How to fatten a pig fast before selling — finishing strategies for the last 30 days
- Pig farming profit: can you earn from 10 pigs? — complete economics
- Liveweight pig prices by region — current price ranges
- Profit Simulator — model your specific batch
- Break-even Calculator — find your break-even price
Sources: ThePigSite Philippine pig breed profiles, Lanada et al. 2005 (Philippine smallholder pig growth data), Vega 2012 (performance of Philippine commercial piggery farms), PSA quarterly livestock price surveys, FAO Farmer's Handbook on Pig Production.
