24.05.2025 11:21
Turkey has risen to the top position in 2024, surpassing European Union countries in the number of cattle and sheep. The cattle population reached 16.9 million, exceeding that of France, while the number of sheep reached 54.9 million. Turkey has become the leader in livestock in Europe, multiplying its sheep count by nearly three compared to Spain and its goat count by four compared to Greece.
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Turkey has become a leader in the number of cattle and sheep, surpassing European Union countries. According to data compiled from the European Statistical Office (Eurostat) and the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), in 2024, Turkey has outperformed Europe in both cattle and sheep populations.
WE HAVE LEFT FRANCE BEHIND
For a long time, France held the leadership in the number of cattle among European countries. However, recent data shows that Turkey has also risen to the top in this area. The number of cattle in Turkey has reached 16 million 986 thousand, while France ranks second with 16 million 429 thousand. Germany is in third place with 10 million 461 thousand cattle.
The number of cattle among EU countries is ranked as follows:
- Turkey – 16,986,000
- France – 16,429,000
- Germany – 10,461,000
- Ireland – 6,308,000
- Poland – 6,190,000
- Spain – 6,174,000
- Italy – 5,765,000
- Netherlands – 3,562,000
Last year, Turkey ranked second after France, but as of 2024, it has established itself at the top of Europe in cattle farming.
3 TIMES DIFFERENCE IN SHEEP
Turkey is also the clear leader in the number of sheep. According to 2024 data, the total number of sheep in Turkey has increased by 4.8% to reach 54 million 903 thousand. Of this number, 44 million 81 thousand are sheep. Its closest competitor, Spain, has a sheep population of 13 million 476 thousand. Thus, Turkey has nearly tripled the number of sheep compared to Spain.
The countries leading in sheep numbers in the EU are as follows:
- Spain – 13,476,000
- Romania – 10,443,000
- Greece – 7,774,000
- France – 6,607,000
- Italy – 5,390,000
- Ireland – 3,637,000
- Portugal – 2,142,000
LEADERSHIP IN GOATS ALSO BELONGS TO TURKEY
In terms of goat population, Turkey has also left EU countries far behind. In 2024, the total number of goats in Turkey increased by 5% to reach 10 million 822 thousand. In this area, Turkey is nearly four times ahead of Greece, which is the EU leader.
The countries ranking high in goat numbers in the EU are as follows:
- Greece – 2,576,000
- Spain – 2,361,000
- Romania – 1,426,000
- France – 1,339,000
- Italy – 911,000
- Netherlands – 552,000
STRATEGIC IN AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK
This increase in livestock farming reinforces Turkey's strategic importance in agricultural production and plays a critical role in rural development. Experts believe that this momentum can be further increased with sustainable policies.
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