Pig Improvement Company - Pic Africa

What Pig Improvement Company - Pic Africa does

PIC Africa is the African regional franchise of Pig Improvement Company (PIC), the swine genetics division of Genus plc (London-listed parent). Established in 1986 through Soetvelde Farms in South Africa and led operationally by ALZU since 2015-2016, PIC Africa supplies commercial pig producers with elite genetics, semen, and production-management software. Its core offering centers on the Camborough F1 gilt and three terminal boar lines (PIC 337, PIC 800, PIC 410), sold through a network that includes contracted customers, multiplication herds, and boar studs.

The underlying technology stack is anchored by PIC's proprietary Genomic Based Pedigree Selection (GBPS) platform, which is fed by the PICTraq genetic database (more than 50,000 animals genotyped annually — more than all other swine genetics companies combined) and has delivered a 35% improvement in selection accuracy over two years. Operational layers include RFID microchip identification, Prism10 Ejaculate Management, AndroVision CASA semen analysis, Optimum Boar Life Model, and Cell Shield Protection for semen packaging. Production-management software (PigCHAMP) is offered alongside genetics to commercial customers. African infrastructure comprises two boar stations housing 400 boars, with 165+ boars at the Middelburg main stud, a Boar Training and Quarantine Centre near Magaliesburg, and three Usergroup Gene Transfer Centres including Niemen Stud, capable of packaging 2,500 semen tubes per hour.

PIC Africa's commercial model is B2B sale of live breeding stock (gilts and boars available from 7-27 weeks of age), semen products (GP semen), and supporting software and services to commercial pig producers across the continent. Distribution combines direct contracted relationships with field sales support and a recently launched online shop. The business holds Pork 360 accreditation and, through an SAPPO partnership, pursues export-compartment certification to enable cross-border African trade in PIC genetics. Revenue is consolidated within Genus plc's reported EMEA/Asia segment and is not separately disclosed.

Name

Pig Improvement Company - Pic Africa

Legal name

PIC Africa

Website

https://picrsa.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Short description

PIC Africa is the African regional franchise of PIC International (Genus plc's swine genetics division), supplying commercial pig producers with elite breeding stock, semen, and production-management software built on proprietary genomic selection technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Swine Genetics and Breeding Stock

NAICS

Hog and Pig Farming (1122)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Boar Studs & Semen Production (AFAEAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

High-Health/Biosecure Hog Production (SPF/Pedigree Nucleus) (AFAEAEAL)

Keywords

• Pig breeding genetics
• Swine breeding stock
• Artificial insemination services
• Porcine genetic improvement
• Animal breeding programs

Headquarters

HQ city

South Africa

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Breeding Animal Sales: Sale of PIC breeding animals including F1 Camborough gilt products (available at any age between 10 weeks and 27 weeks) and boar products (PIC 337, PIC 800, PIC 410) after physical and genetic evaluation and selection at seven months of age.
2. Semen Sales: Sale of pig semen products including Grand Parent (GP) semen from PIC boars. PIC utilizes Androstar Plus long-term semen extender. Semen is delivered country-wide with temperature-controlled vehicles.
3. Technical Services: Contracted services including herd visits, technique management, genetic program design, reproductive evaluations, NIR analysis, nutrition assistance, training programs, benchmarking services, and financial projections for contracted customers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PIC Africa produces and multiplies superior PIC boar and gilt products, and distributes high-quality pig semen, for pork producers in South Africa and Africa. As a franchise of PIC International (the swine division of Genus plc), the company sells F1 Camborough gilts, terminal sire boar lines (PIC 337, PIC 800, PIC 410), and pig semen produced at its Genetics Technology Center (GTC). It complements these biological products with contracted technical services including herd visits, genetic program design, reproductive evaluations, NIR analysis, nutrition assistance, and benchmarking, supported by the PICTraq genetic database and PigCHAMP production management software.

Product overview

PIC Africa operates as a pig genetics franchise of PIC International, offering a portfolio of high-performance breeding stock combined with technology-enabled services. The core product suite includes Camborough gilt products and three terminal sire boar lines (PIC 337, PIC 800, PIC 410), supported by the PICTraq genetic database platform and PigCHAMP production management software. The Genetics Technology Center (GTC) provides semen production and distribution services. Additional services include technical support, benchmarking, training, nutrition assistance, and financial projections for contracted customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Camborough: Leading sow line that produces robust, fast-growing, efficient, lean pigs and the most kilograms of pork per sow per lifetime.
• PIC 337
• PIC 800
• PIC 410
• PigCHAMP
• GTC (Genetics Technology Centre)
• PICTraq
• Optimum Boar Life

Products and services

• Camborough Gilts

Quantifiable outcome

• Increased selection accuracy by 35% over two years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• PIC InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPIC Africa is a franchise of PIC International, producing and multiplying superior PIC boar and gilt products in South Africa and Africa. PIC International is the global leader in pig genetics with operations in over 40 countries. PIC Africa leverages the global bio-secure supply system and genetic improvement platform developed by PIC International.
• Genus plccoreOthersPIC is the swine division of Genus plc, a British-based company with the mission to pioneer animal genetic improvement to help nourish the world. Genus provides beef, dairy and pork producers with superior breeding stock to enable the production of affordable and nutritious animal protein.
• Minitube GermanycoreTechnology or IntegrationMinitube is a world leading manufacturer and supplier of AI technologies and equipment. PIC's GTC is 100% equipped with the latest Minitube products including Computer Assisted Semen Analysis, Mini-BSP automated filling, sealing, labelling and packaging machines, laboratory management software and automated dispensing.
• SAPPO (South African Pork Producers Association)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPIC Africa's farms are certified as export compartments and comply with SAPPO's compartmentalization initiative. This partnership ensures compliance with South African pork industry biosecurity standards.
• AndrostarcoreTechnology or IntegrationPIC utilizes Androstar Plus, a long-term semen extender designed to enhance semen resilience against temperature fluctuations. It contains essential antibiotics, buffers, antioxidants, and a specialized membrane-protecting agent.
• Niemen StudcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird Usergroup GTC facility based at Niemen Stud that enhances PIC's genetic capabilities and production capacity. Operates as part of PIC's boar stud network.
• Pork 360strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll PIC Africa's farms are Pork 360 accredited, meeting all standards in terms of bio-security, health, hygiene and animal welfare. Independent audits are conducted regularly to ensure compliance.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• JSR Genetics: UK-based pig genetics company offering breeding stock and technical services to commercial pork producers. Smaller in scale than PIC but operates in the same nucleus-to-commercial breeding-stock value chain.
• ACMC: UK-based pig breeding company focused on commercial sow and boar lines with proprietary genetic programs. Comparable niche-level competitor to PIC in nucleus genetics for pork producers, though with smaller international footprint.

Direct peers

• Axiom: Pig genetics division of Groupe Grimaud (formerly France Hybrides / Choice Genetics), offering nucleus and commercial sow and boar lines globally. A direct competitor to PIC in pig genetics for commercial pork producers.
• Hypor (Hendrix Genetics): Swine genetics brand of Hendrix Genetics, a multi-species animal genetics company. Hypor competes directly with PIC across sow and boar lines for commercial pork producers, including in emerging markets where PIC Africa operates.
• Topigs Norsvin: Global pig genetics company and one of the largest direct competitors to PIC worldwide, offering nucleus breeding stock, sows, and boars with proprietary genetic programs. It competes with PIC/PIC Africa on the same commercial pork producer customer base in multiple geographies.
• Danbred: Danish-based pig genetics company that distributes nucleus and multiplication breeding stock globally. Competes directly with PIC in commercial pork producers' breeding programs and is a comparable nucleus-genetics supplier to PIC Africa.

Others

• Minitube: Global supplier of artificial insemination equipment, semen extenders, and CASA software for swine and other species. PIC Africa's GTC is 100% equipped with Minitube technology (MiniBSP, TwinPacker, AndroVision, Prism10), making Minitube a key enabling technology partner and adjacent ecosystem participant.
• SEGES (Danish Pig Research Centre): Denmark's central pig research and innovation organization, supporting Danish pork producers and Danbred genetics. Adjacent research and benchmarking ecosystem participant rather than a direct genetic-line competitor, but a comparable source of swine production innovation and standards.
• Agrosoft (pig management software providers): Providers of on-farm pig production management software that overlap with PIC Africa's PigCHAMP offering. They are adjacent competitors in the data-and-management layer that increasingly complements nucleus genetics sales.

Broad incumbents

• Genus plc (PIC International): Publicly listed parent company of PIC International and therefore of PIC Africa. As the global PIC entity, Genus/PIC International is the broader incumbent that owns and supplies PIC Africa's genetic base, technology platform, and global brand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pic-africa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Pig Improvement Company - Pic Africa