Decline in sheep and goats stocks

In December, the sheep population amounted to 10,930 heads, down by 6.6 per cent over 2012. Male sheep registered a 32.1 per cent drop, while lambs and ewes fell by 4.8 and 6.0 per cent respectively. Ewe lambs, which accounted for 79.5 per cent of all sheep, decreased by 3.6 per cent over 2012.

On a regional level, 70.2 per cent of sheep were located on holdings in Malta, with the South Eastern District accounting for 33.3 per cent. The remaining 3,255 heads (29.8 per cent) were located in Gozo and Comino. Over the comparative period, the sheep stock decreased by 6.3 per cent in Malta and by 7.2 per cent in Gozo and Comino.

In 2013, 1,384 holdings were engaged in the rearing of sheep. Of these, 80.3 per cent had less than 10 sheep and accounted for 32.9 per cent of the total stock, or 3,593 heads.

In contrast, only 19.7 per cent of all holdings had more than 10 heads, with a combined 7,337 sheep, or 67.1 per cent of the total population.

In 2013, the goat population stood at 4,598 heads, down by 5.1 per cent over 2012. This resulted from a drop in kids (-38.9 per cent), goats mated for the fi  rst time (-17.8 per cent) and male goats (-4.5 per cent). In contrast, goats that had already kidded edged up by 0.8 per cent.

In comparison to 2012, the goat population decreased by 6.5 per cent in Malta and by 0.8 per cent in Gozo and Comino. Overall, 3,418 goats (74.3 per cent) were found in Maltese holdings, of which 30.7 per cent, or 1,048 heads, were located in the South Eastern District.

The goat population in Gozo and Comino amounted to 1,180 heads, or 25.7 per cent of the total stock.

In 2013, 819 holdings were engaged in the rearing of goats, of which 88.0 per cent reared less than 10. These holdings accounted for 46.3 per cent of the total stock. On the other hand, only 12.0 per cent of all holdings had more than 10 goats. These holdings comprised 2,468 heads, or 68.6 per cent of all goats.