Is pig milk sold anywhere, and why can’t you buy it?

Can you buy pig milk?

No, not in any normal supermarket or dairy market. We found no commercial supply chain, price list or brand of pig milk. Claims online that it is a fast-growing health drink are not supported. If you see pig milk or pig milk cheese for sale, it is a rare, small-batch curiosity.

Why is pig milk not sold?

• Milking is hard: sows are not domesticated for dairy, they are defensive, and they let down milk only in short bursts when piglets nurse.
• Low yield: a sow gives only a few liters a day at best, far less than a dairy cow, although exact figures vary by source.
• Many teats: pigs have around a dozen teats, and standard milking machines are made for cows, goats and sheep.
• Farm economics: pig farmers raise sows for piglets, so the milk goes to the litter.
• Little demand: there is no strong market, so a gallon would cost far more than cow milk.

Is pig milk safe to drink?

We found no evidence that it is toxic. But raw milk of any animal can carry germs, and there is no pig milk safety standard because no one regulates a pig milk industry. We would not recommend it. If you are curious, ask a food safety authority such as your national food agency.

What is pig milk like?

Reports describe it as rich in fat and calories, which suits piglets, who grow quickly. That is a general statement, and we have not checked a nutrition table, so we give no numbers.

Is there pig milk cheese?

Small experimental batches have been made, but they are labor intensive and expensive. They are not a normal product.

What milk should you buy instead?

Cow, goat and sheep milk are the common dairy milks, plus plant drinks such as soy, oat and almond. For a rich, creamy product, look at whole milk, goat milk or sheep milk.