Both sheep and goats decreased by over 40% in May compared to the previous month, according to data published by the Statistical Service.
It is noted that during this period measures to control foot-and-mouth disease were underway, which included, among other things, the culling of animals.
During the same period, cattle recorded a slight increase of 2.69%.
Specifically, the total number of sheep in May 2026 amounted to 14,642, down from 25,174 in April 2026, marking a decrease of 41%.
Similarly, the number of goats at the end of May was 8,679, down from 15,247 in April, a reduction of 43%.
The cattle count was 1,375, up from 1,339 a month earlier, reflecting an increase of 2.69%.
Additionally, the number of pigs at the end of May stood at 43,066, down from 44,629, showing a decrease of 3.5%, while poultry reached 1,411,776, up from 1,171,116, marking a monthly increase of 20.55%.
On the other hand, compared to May 2025, sheep and goats show a significant increase at the end of May 2026, of 55.4% and 30.5% respectively, while cattle show an annual decrease of 9.9%. A marginal annual decrease of 0.7% is recorded for pigs, while poultry shows an increase of 16.1% in May 2026 compared to May 2025.