In 2023, Bulgaria and Malta experienced a significant 21% increase in their pig populations, recovering from a difficult 2022 marked by the war in Ukraine, high feeding costs, low purchase prices, and African swine fever. Conversely, Croatia and Ireland witnessed a 10% reduction in their pig numbers. The European Union saw a general decline in livestock populations, with reductions in pig and cattle numbers by 1%, sheep by 3%, and goats by 5% compared to 2022. Over the past decade, all types of farm animals in the EU have seen a decline, with cattle down by 5%, pigs by 6%, sheep by 9%, and goats by 15%.