Ehime Amatoro Buta

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 is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Ehime Prefecture, managed by Ehime Amatoro Buta Propagation Council. Breed / crossbreeding: Female (Landrace × Large White) × Middle Yorkshire.

Ehime Amatoro Buta (Ehime Sweet-Melting Pork) is a brand pork developed by Ehime Prefecture over more than 5 years. Using the rare Middle Yorkshire — said to number only approximately 500 head domestically — as the sire, it was born by crossing with a sow produced by crossing Landrace with Large White. 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 (Ehime has Japan’s largest production) 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 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 sweetness and umami of the ingredient itself — such as grilled shoulder loin and loin, 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
  Ehime Prefecture (designated farms within the prefecture)
• Management Body
  Ehime Amatoro Buta Propagation Council
• Breed / Crossbreeding
  Female (Landrace × Large White) × Middle Yorkshire
• Meat Characteristics
  Moderately marbled, with a deep meat color; juicy, tender lean. The fat is white and finely grained, melts well in the mouth, and has no off-odor. A high oleic acid ratio and low melting point give a melting texture.
• Feed Characteristics
  Dedicated feed with Ehime-grown naked barley, given from over 60 kg body weight until shipment. No fish meal, suppressing off-odor; forms good-quality fat rich in oleic acid from naked barley.
• 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 registered: April 16, 2010 / Brand regulations established: September 15, 2009; revised July 22, 2022
• 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