The hinterlands of China’s Heilongjiang province was the ideal place for raising pigs in China. Experts compared its geographic and ecological conditions to “just like the Midwest of the U.S.”

China even partnered with a Danish group to introduce advanced pig-raising technology and farm management practices to China. Investors backed by the Chinese government joined with Denmark’s sovereign wealth fund in the project.

But the dream has turned into a ghastly nightmare. China’s outbreak of African swine fever has led to the annihilation of all 73,000 pigs on the partnership’s Eurasian pig farm. Investors have been left with losses of $15 million.

What went wrong? 

Read this week’s cover story to get the full picture.