Sardinia confirms itself as a leading region in goat breeding and in the production of goat and sheep's milk.
This is what emerges from the latest Istat report “Noi Istat 2024”.
In detail, the total number of goats at a national level is equal to over 1 million and the island holds 26.6% of the animals, while the total number of sheep in Italy is equal to 6.7 million and Sardinia represents the 45.9% of the total. Furthermore, as mentioned, the island holds the record for the production of sheep and goat's milk, with approximately 68.3% and 57.8% of Italian production.
As regards the number of cattle, in Italy, in 2021, it is equal to over 5.8 million heads. Lombardy, with the highest number of cattle, represents 26.2% of the national total. Finally, the number of buffaloes is approximately 409 thousand; Campania holds 75.8%.
In 2021, the report underlines, «approximately 5.7 million heads of cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats were slaughtered, compared to 2020 the figure remained almost unchanged. the report also notes how, despite a decline in the slaughter of cattle, sheep and goats, there was a significant increase in the slaughter of buffalo."
(onlineunion)