Carrying the blood of the Ryukyu native pig Agu — a three-way cross brand pork raised in the heart of Yanbaru.
Yanbaru Shimabuta Agu (Yanbaru Island Pork Agu) is a brand pork raised in the Yanbaru region in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island. This pork — handled by Ganaha Livestock Co., Ltd. — is a three-breed cross pig combining three varieties of Ryukyu indigenous Aguu, Duroc, and Berkshire — certified as the 2nd designated production farm of the Okinawa Prefecture Agu Brand Pork Promotion Council’s R4. Aguu is said to have been brought to Ryukyu from China around the 14th century — an indigenous pig that is rare while being difficult to raise with slow growth — but with excellent meat quality. Yanbaru Shimabuta Agu inherits the blood of that Aguu — drawing out excellent characteristics for food use through crossing with Duroc and Berkshire. The greatest appeal is the high-quality fat with sweetness and rich, concentrated umami — the characteristic of glutamic acid as an umami component being approximately 2.5 times more and cholesterol approximately one quarter compared to standard pork has captivated many fans. For the feed — wheat as the primary ingredient, blending fossil coral from Yonaguni Island rich in natural calcium, mugwort, garlic, seaweed, molasses, and awamori lees — EM (effective microorganisms) promoting the pig’s internal and external environment is also introduced. By limiting the number raised and carefully managing each individual — growing healthily without stress in the rich nature of Yanbaru. By raising slowly over 210–240 days before shipping — the meat quality is soft, finishing with a flavorful profile. Outstanding compatibility also with preparations deeply connected with Okinawa’s food culture such as shabu-shabu, steak, and agu soki soba — drawing nationwide attention as one of the representative brand porks of Okinawa.
Basic Information
- Name
Yanbaru Agu - Production Area
Ganaha Chikusan Co., Ltd. (Nago City, Yanbaru region, Okinawa Prefecture) - Management Body
Ganaha Chikusan Co., Ltd. - Breed / Crossbreeding
Agu (male) × Female Duroc × Berkshire cross (three-way cross) - Meat Characteristics
A premium fat of natural sweetness and a rich, concentrated umami. Glutamic acid approximately 2.5 times that of standard pork, with cholesterol at approximately one quarter. - Feed Characteristics
Wheat-centered proprietary blend with Yonaguni Island fossil coral, mugwort (yomogi), garlic, seaweed, molasses, awamori moromi lees, and Orion Beer dried yeast. EM (Effective Microorganisms) introduced for gut environment management. - Shipping Age
210–240 days - Annual Production
Approx. 3,000 head annually - Signature Dish
Shabu-shabu / Agu soki soba (Okinawan noodles with spare ribs) / Steak - Certifications
N/A - Related URLs
Ganaha Chikusan Agricultural Corp. (Agu Village)
Okinawa Agu Brand Pig Council — Brand
Agu Supporters — Ganaha Chikusan
Urano Shouten — Yanbaru Shimabuta Agu - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.212
Ganaha Chikusan Agricultural Corp. (Agu Village)
Okinawa Agu Brand Pig Council — Brand
Agu Supporters — Ganaha Chikusan
Urano Shouten — Yanbaru Shimabuta Agu
Last updated
6/21/2026