The Apulo-Calabrese pig breed: a valuable scientific, economic, and social heritage

The Apulo-Calabrese breed is included in the list of endangered breeds of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and registered in the herd book held by the National Association of Pig Breeders (National Association of Pig Breeders, ANAS). In 2017, the breeding population numbered 540 sows and 63 boars reared in 63 farms, 31 of which were located in Calabria. The Apulo-Calabrese is a medium-sized, black-skinned pig with small socks on the forelimbs and large socks on the hind limbs. It is well adaptable to be kept outdoors or indoors in a conventional system. The meat of the Apulo-Calabrese is transformed into four salamis with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), typical of the Calabrian region (Salsiccia, Soppressata, Capocollo and Pancetta). Only few scientific data is available onthe Apulo-Calabrese pigs as, until now, it has been of interest only locally. The aim of this study is to review the main productive and reproductive data available in the scientific literature for the Apulo-Calabrese breed