Livestock population is decreasing in the EU

In November/December 2022, there were 134 million pigs in the EU (-5% compared to 2021), 75 million cattle (-1%), 59 million sheep (-2%) and 11 million goats. (-3%). This is reported by Eurostat. In November/December 2022, Germany and Denmark reported pig reductions equivalent to more than half of the total reduction in the EU, it said. The reduction in Germany was equal to 33% of the total reduction in the EU (-2.4 million heads compared to 2021; -10%). The decrease in Denmark was equal to 22% of the total decrease in the EU (-1.6 million heads, -12%). Bulgaria and Malta (both -26%) had the largest relative declines. The decline was part of a general trend. All EU member states with more than three million pigs reported a decrease, with two exceptions: Italy (+330,000 head, +4% compared to 2021) and Sweden (+50,000 head, +3%). In November/December 2022, France and Italy reported reductions in their cattle populations, equivalent to more than two-thirds of the total decline in the ...