PIC (Pig Improvement Company)

What PIC (Pig Improvement Company) does

PIC (Pig Improvement Company) is a global swine genetics supplier and a wholly owned subsidiary of Genus plc, founded in 1962 and headquartered in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The company supplies proprietary pig genetics — including the Camborough maternal sow line and the PIC800, PIC337, PIC359, and PIC327 terminal sire lines — to commercial pork producers across more than 24 countries. Its flagship innovation is the PRRS-resistant gene-edited pig, which received US FDA approval in April 2025 and subsequent clearances in Canada, Colombia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina through 2026.

The business model is B2B direct sales of genetic lines, semen, and breeding stock, supported by an integrated service stack: PIC ProConnect (technical advisory), Health Assurance (biosecurity), Supply Chain (bio-secure logistics), PIC ProSelect (genetic evaluation), and Employee Training. PIC earns revenue on a per-genetic-unit basis and increasingly captures premium economics through proprietary, gene-edited lines. In 2026, the company extended its product surface with Pork Chop Studio, a consumer-facing initiative backed by research across 5,000+ consumers in 8 countries.

Technology is centered on genomic selection and gene editing, augmented by computer-vision-based digital phenotyping that delivers 3x greater heritability than manual measurement, and advanced analytics on a 49,000+ sow commercial dataset and a 15,700-sow North American benchmark. Distribution is delivered through a bio-secure global supply chain. In 2026, PIC is forming a US$160m joint venture with Beijing Capital Agribusiness (BCA) in China, where Genus holds 49% and BCA holds 51%, addressing a market that consumes approximately 50% of the world's pork.

Name

PIC (Pig Improvement Company)

Legal name

PIC USA, Inc.

Website

https://pic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

PIC is a global swine genetics supplier and wholly owned subsidiary of Genus plc, founded in 1962, serving commercial pork producers in 24+ countries with proprietary pig lines, gene-edited PRRS-resistant genetics, and a bio-secure global supply chain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Swine Genetics / Animal Breeding Stock

NAICS

Hog and Pig Farming (11221), Hog and Pig Farming (112210)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nucleus Herd/Flock Breeding & Multiplier Stock Supply (AFAEAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

High-Health/Biosecure Hog Production (SPF/Pedigree Nucleus) (AFAEAEAL), Boar Studs & Semen Production (AFAEAEAF), Genetic Trait Selection (e.g., polled, disease resistance) Services (AFAEAJAJ)

Keywords

• Swine genetics
• Pig breeding stock
• Animal genetics
• PRRS-resistant pigs
• Gene editing livestock

Headquarters

HQ city

Hendersonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Genetically Superior Breeding Stock: PIC provides genetically superior breeding stock (semen, embryos, and breeding animals) to pig producers globally. High-quality genetics form the basis for success in pork production.
2. Technical Services: PIC provides technical services to help producers realize genetic potential, including on-farm technical service teams, production insights, proven management practices, and strategies to help pigs reach their potential.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PIC is the global leader in swine genetics, providing genetically superior pig breeding stock—including maternal sow lines (Camborough), terminal sire lines (PIC800, PIC337, PIC327, PIC359), and gene-edited PRRS-resistant pigs—to commercial pork producers worldwide. The company complements its genetics portfolio with on-farm technical services, training resources, health assurance programs, and a global bio-secure supply chain to help producers realize genetic potential.

Product overview

PIC (Pig Improvement Company) is the global leader in swine genetics, providing a comprehensive portfolio of pig breeding stock and technical services. The core product portfolio centers on the PIC Camborough® maternal sow line (leveraging digital phenotyping and AI for selection) and three terminal sire lines: PIC®800 (Duroc, Certified DUROC® Pork), PIC®337 (top terminal composite), and PIC®327 and PIC®359 (additional composite lines). PIC also offers the PRRS-Resistant Pig, a gene-edited product resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, now approved in multiple countries including the US and Canada. The product suite is supported by technical services including PIC ProConnect (training and technical support), Health Assurance (biosecurity), Supply Chain (global delivery), PIC ProSelect (selection services), and extensive employee training resources including manuals, videos, and The Squeal Podcast. PIC is a subsidiary of Genus plc (UK-based, publicly traded on London Stock Exchange).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PIC Camborough A maternal sow line built for commercial environments, delivering 34.6+ pigs weaned per sow per year, 89.2% farrowing rates, and refined sow longevity. Features proprietary genetic traits including Reproductive Success, Digital Longevity, Digital Structure, and POP reduction, supported by digital phenotyping and artificial intelligence for selection. Targeted at commercial pork producers.
• PIC 800 A market-leading terminal Duroc sire line that sires offspring with industry-leading growth rates, competitive feed efficiency, and superior robustness. Offspring can be marketed as Certified DUROC Pork. Delivers economic advantages of up to $5.96 over competitor progeny. Targeted at commercial pork producers seeking premium carcass value.
• PIC 337 The market leader in profitability and feed efficiency, serving as the top terminal composite sire. Sires high-quality, full-value pigs with superior genetic merit, unmatched feed conversion, and outstanding robustness requiring fewer inputs. Delivers economic advantages of up to $5.96 over competitor progeny. Targeted at commercial pork producers.
• PIC 359 Combines superior robustness with lean yield and excellent feed efficiency from birth to market, providing producers with excellent feed conversion, superior lean gain efficiency, high livability, and high carcass value. Targeted at commercial pork producers.
• PIC 327 Provides a higher lean percentage at heavyweights along with lower production costs. Excels in health-challenged environments and outdoor production with excellent lean gain at heavyweights, excellent feed efficiency, and robust growth. Targeted at commercial pork producers.
• PRRS-Resistant Pig Gene-edited pigs resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus. The technology involves precise deletion of a small part of a gene involved in PRRS infection. Regulatory approvals obtained in U.S., Canada, Colombia, Brazil, Dominican Republic, and Argentina. Approved as safe for consumption and nutritionally equivalent to conventional pork. Targeted at commercial pork producers seeking to reduce PRRS-related mortality, antibiotic use, and economic losses.
• PIC ProConnect Technical services and training tools to support on-farm employees in both farrowing and wean-to-finish farms, maximizing genetic potential through resources and expert support. Targeted at commercial pork producers.
• PIC ProSelect Technical service offering for genetic selection and herd performance optimization. Targeted at commercial pork producers.
• Health Assurance Health assurance services maintaining high health status of the PIC system and protecting customers' herds through biosecurity standards and protocols. Targeted at commercial pork producers.

Quantifiable outcome

• PIC337 offspring deliver economic advantages of up to $5.96 over competitor progeny (calculated assuming fixed-time marketing strategy without carcass premium, net margins above feed and housing costs per pig placed)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Beijing Capital Agribusiness Co. Ltd (BCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025PIC's parent company Genus plc has a strategic porcine collaboration with BCA in China. The updated September 2025 agreements accelerate the formation of a joint venture: 51% owned by BCA and 49% owned by Genus/PIC. The JV includes PIC China and BCA's Future Bio-Tech business (FBT) pursuing MARA approval for PRP in China. Genus receives US$160m gross cash payment plus US$7.5m accelerated milestone, IP royalties, and 49% dividend rights. BCA is owned by Beijing Municipality (via Beijing Capital Agribusiness & Foods Group), GLP-Youshan Fund, CITIC Agriculture Technology, and CITIC Agri Investment Fund.
• CircanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCircana, a global consumer insights firm, conducted consumer research commissioned by PIC surveying over 5,000 consumers across eight countries about attitudes toward purchasing pork from gene-edited pigs. Findings showed gene-edited pork scores in upper quintiles for purchase likelihood.
• Center for Food Integrity (CFI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent research organization whose findings corroborated PIC's Circana research, finding that pork from gene-edited pigs performed above benchmark norms for purchase likelihood, with strongest acceptance driven by reduced antibiotic use.
• Food Industry Association (FMI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association whose research findings aligned with PIC's Circana study, finding above benchmark purchase likelihood scores for gene-edited pork and confirming consumer acceptance of reduced antibiotic use as a key driver.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Topigs Norsvin: Topigs Norsvin is one of the largest global swine genetics companies, offering both maternal and terminal sire lines to commercial pork producers. Direct head-to-head competitor to PIC in nearly every major pork-producing geography, with comparable product portfolio (maternal lines, terminal sires, technical services).
• Danbred: Danbred is a leading international swine genetics supplier based in Denmark, focused on DanAvl breeding stock with strong positions in Europe and Latin America. Competes directly with PIC on maternal line genetics and total profitability economics for pork producers.
• Hendrix Genetics (Hypor): Hendrix Genetics operates Hypor as its swine genetics division, supplying maternal and terminal sire lines globally with a focus on balanced breeding programs. Direct competitor to PIC in the multi-line commercial pork genetics market, with similar technical service offerings.
• Choice Genetics (Axiom / Newsham): Choice Genetics is an international swine genetics company offering maternal and terminal sire lines to commercial pork producers, owned by Groupe Grimaud. Direct competitor to PIC with overlapping geographic presence in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
• Acuity (formerly Monsanto/AgReliant Swine Genetics): Acuity is a swine genetics company offering proprietary maternal and terminal sire lines (e.g., Acuity Edge, Acuity Mammoth) with focus on commercial pork producer economics. Direct competitor to PIC in North American and select international pork markets.

Broad incumbents

• Genus plc (ABS Global): Genus plc is PIC's publicly-traded parent company and also operates ABS Global, a global dairy and beef cattle genetics business. Comparable as a fellow animal genetics powerhouse but operates in different species (bovine) and a separate corporate division.

Others

• Smithfield Foods: Smithfield Foods is the world's largest pork producer and a major customer of swine genetics suppliers including PIC. Comparable as a major counterpart in the pork value chain rather than a competitor; PIC's genetic improvement directly affects Smithfield's production economics.

Emerging players

• Minitube International: Minitube is a global supplier of assisted reproductive technologies (semen extenders, AI equipment, embryo transfer) for the swine industry. Adjacent/ecosystem peer to PIC, providing enabling technology for delivering PIC's boar semen product line.
• Genus IntelliGen Technologies: IntelliGen Technologies is Genus plc's sexed semen and gene-editing technology platform used across species. Adjacent peer sharing R&D infrastructure with PIC, providing gene-editing and reproductive biology capabilities that underpin PIC's PRRS-resistant pig program.
• Recombinetics: Recombinetics (and its spin-off Acceligen) develops gene-editing applications for animal agriculture and human health, including disease-resistance traits in livestock. Comparable as a fellow gene-editing livestock company, though focused on multiple species rather than specializing in swine.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/PigImprovement
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC93mXCfRgfKrT2MFFxTIEhA
• Facebookfacebook.com/PigImprovementCompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pic-latin-america

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PIC (Pig Improvement Company)