Still, more systematized commercialization and better hygienic standards are called for: pork costs have risen sharply in China, in part because an outbreak of the mysterious blue ear hog disease is estimated to have wiped out as much as 20% of China's pig population. Under its commercialization initiative, called the Ecologically Healthy Live Hogs Breeding Program, COFCO has earmarked a total of 12 billion yuan ($1.74 billion) this year for investment to improve the conditions under which hogs are raised, affording 1.5 square meters (16.15 square feet) for each animal. The project also looks to secure adequate water and electricity supplies and will be deploy recycling technology. The goal is to make COFCO the largest pig farmer in China, with a national market share of between 2% and 3% in three to five years' time. That would translate into annual production about 10 million and 15 million hogs, raised in accordance with standards and practices prevailing in the United States.