FROM A HOBBY TO A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS: RAISING MANGALICA PIGS IN KOSTAJNICA NEAR DOBOJ

In the village of Kostajnica, near Doboj, lies the farm of Slobodan Cvijanović, a man who began raising Mangalica pigs as a hobby six years ago. Today, his farm is home to one of the most prized and resilient pig breeds in the region.

PHOTO: Ustupljena fotografija

The family estate covers ten dunums of land, including pastures, orchards, and a section of woodland, and currently houses between 80 and 90 Mangalica pigs.

It All Started with a Desire for Healthier Food

The idea of raising Mangalica pigs was born out of a desire to provide healthy meat and homemade products for the family.

"We started raising Mangalica pigs six years ago. Compared to conventional pigs, they are easier to keep because they live outdoors and do not require solid buildings. A few shelters are enough to protect them during harsh weather conditions," Cvijanović told the SeeSrpska portal.

Natural Nutrition Is the Key to Quality

The pigs are fed exclusively with natural foods, including corn, wheat, barley, pumpkins, beets, grass, fruit, and vegetables. They also roam freely through the pastures and nearby forest, where they find additional food on their own.

"We do not use concentrates or additives. Mangalica meat contains more fat and is much more tender than the meat of conventional pigs, which is why it is highly valued for both its quality and nutritional properties," Cvijanović explained.

According to him, white Mangalica bacon is among the most sought-after products and is often recommended to people recovering from serious illnesses.

Customers Keep Coming Back

The farm produces white and marbled bacon, cracklings, lard, dried pork knuckles, sausages, smoked meat, and dried bones.

The greatest demand is for white and marbled bacon, while sales are carried out directly from the family farm.

"Our customers have recognized the quality of our products and often recommend us to their friends and relatives," he said.

Farming as a Way of Life

Although raising Mangalica pigs requires a great deal of dedication, Cvijanović says that working on the farm helps him relax and escape the pressures of everyday life.

"The most challenging part was at the very beginning, when we had to prepare the land, build a protective fence, and install an electric fence system. Today, spending time on the farm brings us great joy and satisfaction," he said.

He added that the business could become financially sustainable if the number of animals increased and meat processing expanded. However, for him, raising Mangalica pigs remains primarily a passion, as well as a way of providing healthy food for his family and friends.

"I would warmly recommend this work to anyone who has the opportunity to do it. Besides earning additional income, they would gain something even more valuable – healthy and high-quality food," Cvijanović concluded.