Agu

A source of pride in Okinawa, Agu pork traces its roots to the native pigs of the Ryukyu Islands.

Agu is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Okinawa Prefecture, managed by JA Okinawa Branded Pork Promotion Council. Breed / crossbreeding: Refer to each member brand of the council (LW).

Agu pork comes from pigs descended from the native Agu breed, brought from China to the Ryukyu Kingdom about 600 years ago. The breed nearly died out in the chaos of the postwar years. Producers worked to restore it, and today Agu is one of Okinawa’s signature pork brands. The brand has a precise definition. The sire must be a native Agu whose lineage is verified by DNA testing through the Livestock Improvement Association, crossed with sows of Western breeds. Only boars approved by the JA Okinawa Branded Pork Promotion Council may be used.

Whereas standard pigs are shipped at approximately 180–210 days of age — agu is raised slowly to approximately 240 days — umami is slowly concentrated. The defining characteristic of the meat quality is the richness of umami components such as glutamic acid — said to be approximately 3 times more than standard pork. Also, fine marbling unique to indigenous pigs enters throughout the body — the fat has sweetness and richness. The low cholesterol value of the fat being healthy is also one of the reasons it is supported by many consumers.

As eating methods — shabu-shabu and rafute (Okinawan braised pork belly) are particularly famous — the softness of the meat quality and the deliciousness of the sweet fat can be fully enjoyed. Production is handled by certified farms within Okinawa Prefecture — produced under a strict management system where only pork meeting quality standards receives a certified seal and certificate. Since JA Okinawa obtained trademark rights in December 1996, it has continued as a proud pork brand for Okinawa Prefecture residents.

Basic Information

• Name
  Agu
• Production Area
  Okinawa Prefecture (council member farms)
• Management Body
  JA Okinawa Branded Pork Promotion Council
• Breed / Crossbreeding
  Refer to each member brand of the council (LW)
• Meat Characteristics
  Umami components such as glutamic acid at approximately 3 times that of standard pork. Fine marbling characteristic of native pigs, with sweetness and richness in the fat. Low in cholesterol and healthy.
• Feed Characteristics
  Refer to each member brand of the council
• Shipping Age
  240 days
• Annual Production
  Approx. 31,769 head annually
• Signature Dish
  Shabu-shabu / Rafute (Okinawan-style braised pork belly)
• Certifications
  Trademark registered: December 25, 1996 / Brand regulations established: June 4, 2007 / GI: none / Farm HACCP: none / JGAP: none
• Related URLs
  Okinawa Brand Pork Agu — Agu Supporters Association (Official Website)
  Agu Pork — JA Okinawa
• Source
  Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.211
  Okinawa Brand Pork Agu — Agu Supporters Association (JA Okinawa Branded Pork Promotion Council) Official Website
  Agu Pork — JA Okinawa

Last updated
6/21/2026