Qin Yinglin
Qin Yinglin | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1965 Hexi Village, Mashankou Town, Neixiang County, Nanyang, Henan, China |
| Occupation(s) | Agricultural magnate, businessman |
| Known for | Chairman and president of Muyuan Foodstuff; world's wealthiest farmer |
| Notable work | Muyuan Foodstuff |
Qin Yinglin (, born 1965) is a prominent Chinese agricultural magnate, billionaire, member of the Communist Party, and holds the distinction of being the wealthiest farmer globally. He occupies the roles of chairman and president at the pig farming enterprise Muyuan Foodstuff and ranks among the richest individuals in China. As reported by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, his net worth was approximately US$14.9 billion as of September 2023. Forbes describes him as "the nation's largest pig breeder within the world's biggest pork market."
Early life
Born in 1965 in Hexi Village, Mashankou Town, Neixiang County, Nanyang, Henan, Qin experienced a childhood marked by financial hardship. In 1982, during his high school years, Qin’s father invested in 20 pigs but suffered losses leaving only one surviving animal. This event motivated Qin to pursue pig farming to boost his community's income. He enrolled at Henan Agricultural University in 1985.
Career
After earning a degree in animal husbandry in 1989 at age 24, Qin began employment with Nanyang Food Company, where he met his wife, Qian Ying, a veterinary science graduate from Zhengzhou College of Animal Husbandry Engineering. Three years later, in 1992, he left his secure position to launch a pork farming business alongside Qian in their hometown, starting with a modest herd of 22 pigs.
Their farm grew swiftly; by 1994 the stock reached 2,000 pigs and expanded to 10,000 by 1997. In 2000, Qin established Muyuan Farming (牧原养殖), which later developed into Muyuan Foodstuff. The company obtained financing from the International Finance Corporation in 2010. By 2013, Muyuan Foodstuff operated two wholly owned subsidiaries and one joint venture company, collectively raising over one million pigs each year. Muyuan’s shares (002714.SZ) were listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on January 28, 2014.
During the outbreaks of African swine fever in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Muyuan’s stock value climbed significantly. The company’s vertically integrated structure—controlling most production facilities—allowed superior disease management and enhanced resilience compared to its competitors. Qin remarked that the epidemic "brings both benefit and harm," anticipating that weaker firms would exit while robust companies like Muyuan would seize growth prospects. Throughout this time frame, Muyuan increased its pig slaughter volume and further implemented automation technologies.
As China’s leading pig breeder, Muyuan processed five million pigs annually as of 2019. Qin Yinglin holds the positions of president and chairman within the firm.
Wealth
In 2015, Qin Yinglin was recognized as Henan’s wealthiest individual and ranked 67th nationwide by net worth, with his family’s assets valued at RMB 17.15 billion according to Forbes. That same year, Hurun estimated his net worth at RMB 20.5 billion, placing him at number 98 across China. By 2019, Qin’s fortune had exceeded RMB 100 billion, elevating him to 15th place on the Hurun list and making him Henan’s only entrepreneur surpassing this milestone—a result of Muyuan Foodstuff’s strong market performance amid rising pork prices. The Forbes list for that year appraised his family’s wealth at RMB 117.38 billion, ranking ninth nationally and second among Henan entrepreneurs after Xu Jiayin. His net worth grew further in 2020 due to pork price increases driven by African swine fever.
Qin is acknowledged as the world’s wealthiest farmer with ownership of 883 million shares—equivalent to a 40.06% stake—in Muyuan Foodstuff. His spouse, Qian Ying, is also a billionaire; together they retain majority control over the company. Their son, Qin Muyuan, holds a vice-presidential role at Muyuan Foodstuff.
Titles
- Visiting professor at the China Plan Institute (中国策划学院)
- Managing director of the China CYZF Promotion Association (中国创业致富促进会)
- Member of the Communist Party
- Representative at the 2002 Henan Provincial People's Congress
- Appointed as a part-time professor at Henan Agricultural University in 2007
- Delegate to the 13th National People's Congress
- Board member of Westlake University
Philanthropy
On 15 February 2019, Qin made a donation of shares valued at RMB 100 million to the Westlake Education Foundation (西湖教育基金会).
In April 2020, he further donated stock worth RMB 800 million to aid fundamental research, technological advancement, talent cultivation, and educational initiatives at Westlake University.
Awards
Qin earned recognition as one of China's top ten outstanding young farmers in 1997, was awarded the Youth May 4th Pacesetter honor in 1999, and received the national title of outstanding worker in animal husbandry in 2006.
External links
- Muyuan Foods
- 揭秘秦英林成功之道 ("Unveiling Qin Yinglin's Path to Success")
- 内乡大学生回乡创业养鸡 想当“秦英林第二” ("Neixiang university student returns home to raise chickens, aspiring to be 'the second Qin Yinglin'")