Puerto Rico’s Department of Agriculture has launched its annual La Ruta del Lechón campaign for the 2026 Christmas season, urging Puerto Ricans to patronize lechoneras that sell pork born and raised on the island. Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez Torres said the effort is about "doing justice to our producers, to the 100% Puerto Rico product."
About 23 lechoneras, roadside eateries and restaurants selling island-raised pork have been certified for the campaign and are marked with a seal identifying them as part of La Ruta del Lechón. The department has scheduled Sunday chinchorreo tours to taste the pork, starting this Sunday with La Ruta de la Montaña. Participants gather at Bayamón Town Center on PR-167 and leave in a caravan for three lechoneras: La Familia in Toa Alta, Los Quesitos in Bayamón and La Hacienda in Naranjito, with music and appearances by Deddie Romero and Andrés Waldemar.
La Ruta de Guavate follows on Sunday, November 22 in Cayey, visiting Mojitos, Los Pinos and Los Amigos. The event closes Sunday, December 13 with La Ruta del Este, visiting Mi Pequeño Guavate in Fajardo, García García in Naguabo and La Romana in Las Piedras. Ángel L. Rodríguez Roldán, president of the Cooperativa de Porcicultores de Puerto Rico, said a pound of pork at lechoneras runs about $13 and that imported pork, mainly from the United States, is cheaper for businesses.
Rodríguez Torres said there is no shortage of Puerto Rican products for the holidays ("we have plantains and bananas for two Christmases"), that the drought’s impact on coffee farming may be known early next year, and that at least two bills filed by House Speaker Carlos "Johnny" Méndez to overhaul agricultural policy, including a new Organic Law for the department and an Agricultural Modernization Code, will be discussed in the Legislature in coming months.