Spain reduces its sheep population by 44% over 25 years, losing 10.7 million animals, but boosts its exports.

Some of the data were presented this Monday during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the interprofessional organization of meat sheep and goats (Interovic), an event inaugurated by the Director General of Agricultural Productions and Markets of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Elena Busutil. Busutil has put figures to the "painful" evolution since 2020 at the level of producers, with 24 million sheep heads registered in 2000 compared to 13.4 million in 2024, a 44% decrease in their census, while meat production has declined by 57% and with 19% fewer farms. However, and in the face of the downward trend in domestic consumption, the sector has focused on the outside, as she recalled. She highlighted how its turnover has sextupled in these 25 years of Interporc's existence to reach 575 million euros in 2024. In addition, it has a "positive and solid trade balance." On the other hand, she highlighted the "fundamental" role of Interovic in all these years and ...