Wild boar supply chain systems in Asia: a systematic review

The wild boar (Sus scrofa) supply chains contribute to the culture, economy, and food systems of several Asian countries. However, there is limited consolidated information on how wild boars are farmed, hunted, processed, distributed, and consumed in the region. This systematic review aimed to review the existing literature and information on wild boar supply chain systems in Asia, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Four major databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect) were searched for peer-reviewed publications from January 1990 to December 2024 using keywords related to the wild boar supply chain systems. A total of 42 studies were included and analyzed across key supply chain domains. Most studies were from Vietnam (11, 26.2%), followed by Thailand and Japan (5, 11.9% each), Laos and Indonesia (4, 9.5% each), Cambodia and China (3, 7.1% each), the Philippines (2, 4.8%), and Malaysia, South Korea, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Nepal (1, 2.4% each). The review found that wild boar meat is mainly sourced through traditional hunting and small-scale farming, particularly in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Consumption is often linked to festivals and local traditions, particularly among rural and indigenous communities in Southeast Asia, including those in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The supply chain comprises multiple actors, including hunters, farmers, traders, and consumers, and operates through both formal and informal trade networks. The cross-border movement of wild boar products has been observed in parts of Southeast Asia. The reviews highlight the need for further studies on mapping wild boar supply chains in high-risk areas and informal trade routes. Furthermore, governments and other stakeholders should improve disease surveillance, enforce biosecurity and wildlife trade regulations, and encourage cross-border collaboration to reduce zoonotic risks and ensure supply chain safety.