In the 1980s, China's economic reforms led to the industrialization of pig farming, resulting in large-scale production systems. This transformation was driven by increased demand for pork, which is a staple protein source in Chinese diets. The shift not only boosted China's economy but also positioned the country as the world's largest producer of pork, significantly impacting global agricultural markets.

Large-scale pig production in post-reform China during the 1980s is reflected in contemporary Chinese poetry, which addresses urbanization and the transformation of rural identities. Poets like Xi Chuan have explored the tensions between tradition and modernity in their works.