Valencia loses sheep farms: Alarm in the sector

The Valencian Community is experiencing a critical situation with the disappearance of sheep farms, which is particularly worrying for the production of sheep milk and the sustainability of local livestock. According to official data, in the last two decades, 76% of sheep farms have closed, dropping from 4,374 in the year 2000 to just 1,038 in 2023. This decline is attributed to multiple factors such as lack of generational replacement, increased production costs, low profitability, and competition from other sectors.

New regulations and health challenges have added pressure to an already fragile production model. The reduction in farms affects not only the meat market but also sheep milk, which is the basis for traditional cheeses with denomination of origin and other artisanal products with high added value. The closure of these farms threatens the survival of these products and the rural economy linked to them.

Agricultural organizations are calling for urgent support measures, including incentives for young farmers, profitability improvements, and policies that favor generational replacement. Without these actions, they warn, the trend of disappearance will continue to worsen. The future of the Valencian sheep sector will depend on a comprehensive strategy that combines sustainability, innovation, specific aid, and political commitment to ensure the survival of an essential production system for the rural environment and the region's agri-food culture.