Analysis of relationship between pork belly preference and fat level by distributors in the Korean pork market: Utilizing belly cross-sectional assessment and belly fat percentage measured by VCS2000.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between the overall fat percentage of pork belly and the visual fat level of pork belly, and to determine whether these factors influence the distributor's preference. Fat percentages in LYD pigs' pork bellies were measured using VCS2000, and visual fat levels were assessed through cross-sectional photographs. Additionally, a survey was conducted across four distributor types (direct managed stores, supermarkets, National Agricultural Cooperative Federations (NACFs), and butcher shops) to understand distributor preferences in the pork market. The results demonstrated a moderate correlation between pork belly fat percentage and appearance-based belly fat level. The regression equations between distributors' pork belly preferences and pork belly fat percentage showed that all regression equations exhibited coefficient of determination (R) values below 0.2, indicating that pork belly fat percentage could not be explained by distributors' pork belly preferences. The regression equations between appearance-based belly fat level and distributors' pork belly preferences demonstrated that all regression equations exhibited an R value of 0.75 or higher, indicating that appearance-based belly fat level can effectively explain distributors' pork belly preferences. Furthermore, it was observed that there were variations in distributors' preferences contingent on the appearance-based belly fat level. Appearance-based belly fat level was found to be reliable indicators for predicting pork belly preferences. The findings of this study are expected to assist in the reduction of unnecessary distribution costs when planning the delivery of pork belly.