Although there are two months until Christmas, Romanians are not waiting for December to secure their meat. In the households in the Romanian villages, the pigs are already reserved, and some breeders say they have sold since October.
Many have reserved their pork for Christmas. Photo: Archive
The sacrifice of the Christmas pig is one of the most important and expected Romanian traditions that accompany the winter holidays and, although until then there are two months, this year many buyers have already rushed to secure their pork in the yard. In numerous villages in the country, breeders say they no longer have available animals and that reservoirs are complete, because in 2025 the demand far exceeds the offer.
More and more Romanians choose to buy the live pig, directly from the household, to enjoy the authentic taste and food safety. In some areas, reservations have started from September, and prices are close to last year, despite the increase in cereals.
In the town of Bihorean Rontau, farmer Dorel Pașcalău grows about 20 pigs for the winter season, but more than half of them are already sold.
“The corn has increased. I took it with 1.4 lei. he told Antena 3.
The practices have changed: the buyers no longer expect the December fairs, but provide their pig early, paying an advance of about 400 lei for reservation. Currently the live price is between 15 and 17 lei per kilogram, but farmers warn that the rates could climb as the holidays are approaching.
Large request, limited offer
The demand is mainly lifted for the Romanian and premium races, such as Mangalița, Bazna or Red Duroc, recognized for the early meat and natural fat, but the offer is quite small, because the African swine fever has diminished the herds, and many of the small farmers had to give up the raising of pigs.
For buyers, however, the traditional taste remains irreplaceable.
“I came to see him, to know what I eat. I don’t trust the store. It’s a tradition. No pork raised in the country, it’s not Christmas. I take it now, to be sure”, said Florin Dulău, a customer who came from the special city to book his pig.
Romania continues to face a pork deficiency of over 40%, and imports increase annually. This is why the pig raised in the household, nourished naturally and sacrificed according to the Romanian tradition, has become an increasingly coveted product.
In many cases, the animal stays at the farmer until Christmas, when the buyer comes only for cutting and cutting. Those who live in the block often prefer everything to be done on the spot, “as in the country”, avoiding travel and keeping the authentic ritual of the holiday.
As December approaches, breeders expect an avalanche of new demands, but also to an increase in prices.
