The pride of Ehime — a brand pork of melt-in-the-mouth sweetness, born of the rare Middle Yorkshire breed and Ehime-grown naked barley.
Ehime Amatoro Buta (Ehime Sweet-Melting Pork) is a brand pork developed by Ehime Prefecture over more than 5 years. Using the rare Medium Yorkshire — said to number only approximately 500 head domestically — as the sire, born by crossing with a sow crossing Landrace with Large Yorkshire. The name ‘Amatoro’ embodies the meaning of pork with sweet fat and a melting mouthfeel. With commitment to fattening — from when body weight exceeds 60 kg through to shipment, a dedicated feed blending Ehime Prefecture-produced naked barley (barley with the highest domestic production volume) is given. Without using fish meal, off-odor is firmly suppressed — the abundant oleic acid derived from naked barley brings a natural sweetness and smooth meltingness to the fat. While the standard pig shipping age is approximately 180 days, Ehime Amatoro Buta is raised slowly over 180 or more to 240 days. Correspondingly, in a spacious barn environment that reduces stress — the softness, water retention, and fat melting point all finish at the top class. The lean has a deep meat color — juicy and soft; the fat is white, finely-grained — characterized by a low melting point that melts at approximately body temperature. Richly containing oleic acid, the premium fat does not easily burden the stomach even after eating — leaving a clean, refreshing aftertaste. Outstanding compatibility with preparations that draw out the authentic sweetness and umami of the ingredient — such as shoulder loin and loin grilled, pork belly char siu, and tenderloin tonkatsu. Please do taste at least once this brand pork — where Ehime’s rich agricultural resources and many years of livestock research have borne fruit.
Basic Information
- Name
Ehime Amatoro Buta - Production Area
Designated farms in Ehime Prefecture - Management Body
Ehime Amatoro Buta Propagation Council - Breed / Crossbreeding
Female (Landrace × Large White) × Middle Yorkshire - Meat Characteristics
A moderate marbling with a deep, rich meat color — juicy and tender lean. The fat is brilliantly white and finely-grained, dissolving cleanly on the palate with no off-odor. High oleic acid content and a low melting point deliver a melt-in-the-mouth sensation. - Feed Characteristics
Dedicated finishing feed incorporating Ehime-produced naked barley (Japan’s top-producing prefecture), given from 60 kg body weight onward. No fish meal used. Naked barley-derived oleic acid imparts natural sweetness and a smooth mouthfeel to the fat. - Shipping Age
180–240 days - Annual Production
Approx. 9,000 head annually - Signature Dish
Grilled shoulder loin and loin / Pork belly char siu / Fillet cutlet / Shabu-shabu / Yakiniku (grilled pork) - Certifications
Trademark registration: April 16, 2010
Brand regulations established: September 15, 2009; revised July 22, 2022
Farm HACCP certified
JGAP certified - Related URLs
Ehime Amatoro Buta Propagation Council (Official Site)
What is Amatoro Buta — Ehime Amatoro Buta Propagation Council
Ehime Amatoro Buta — Bejoy Co., Ltd.
Ehime Amatoro Buta — Ehime Ai-Food Promotion Organization - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.169
Ehime Amatoro Buta Propagation Council (Official Site)
What is Amatoro Buta — Ehime Amatoro Buta Propagation Council
Ehime Amatoro Buta — Bejoy Co., Ltd.
Ehime Amatoro Buta — Ehime Ai-Food Promotion Organization
Last updated
6/21/2026