Raised in the pure, pristine landscape of Murakami, Niigata, on 30% feed rice — a pork of juiciness and umami polished to perfection.
Echigo Murakami Iwafune Buta (Echigo Murakami Iwafune Pork), produced by Sakaue Farm Co., Ltd. based in Murakami City and the Iwafune area, is brand pork from Niigata Prefecture nurtured by the rich food culture of the region. Born in the land of Murakami — famous for salmon — this brand is characterized by a unique feeding management drawing on the region’s rich agricultural products. The core of this pork lies in the unique feed design with a high blend ratio of 30% locally-produced feed rice. Using Chubu Feed’s designated compound product as the base for the primary feed, milo, tapioca, and barley are combined — lowering the corn ratio to suppress excess fat. Through such ingenuity, the pig’s inherently clean flavor with no unnecessary off-odor is drawn out. The gentle sweetness and umami derived from feed rice slowly permeate the meat quality — producing a deep, rich flavor of well-balanced fatty acids, and a soft texture that seems to melt in the mouth. With minimal drip loss, umami does not easily escape even after heating — the deliciousness is firmly preserved after cooking. The breed is a three-breed cross — Landrace × Large Yorkshire female crossed with Duroc male — outstanding in the balance of meat quantity security, lean fineness, and umami. Carefully raised to 180 days of age and approximately 115 kg, distributed through Niigata Meat Plant. Trusted as safe, reliable pork as Niigata Prefecture Livestock Association-certified ‘Clean Pork’ — approximately 11,000 head in total for the group are shipped annually. Please do savor in preparations that draw out the ingredient’s umami such as shabu-shabu, tonkatsu, and roast pork.
Basic Information
- Name
Echigo Murakami Iwafune Buta - Production Area
Farmland Kiotoshi (Murakami / Iwafune district, Niigata) - Management Body
N/A - Breed / Crossbreeding
Three-breed cross: Female (Landrace x Large White or Large White x Landrace) x Male Duroc - Meat Characteristics
Juicy, fine-grained lean with clean, natural fat sweetness from 30% feed rice; low corn ratio reduces heaviness and greasiness - Feed Characteristics
30% locally grown feed rice; corn ratio reduced below standard; milo, tapioca, wheat blended via Chubu Feed (low oil-content design) - Shipping Age
Not specified - Annual Production
Approx. 11,000 head annually (group total) - Signature Dish
N/A - Certifications
Niigata Prefecture Livestock Association Clean Pork certified - Related URLs
Farmland Kiotoshi – Niigata Brand Pork - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.123
Kotake Foods – Niigata Direct Delivery
Farmland Kiotoshi
Last updated
6/21/2026