In Albania, the number of goats, sheep, and cows is decreasing year by year. The abandonment of rural areas and various challenges in livestock farming have led to a 10% annual decline in their numbers.

Data from INSTAT shows that in 2024, the number of small ruminants (sheep and goats) was 1.8 million, while the number of cattle stood at 283,000. This represents a dramatic decrease compared to 2014, when the country had 2.7 million small ruminants and 498,000 cattle.

Regional Distribution of Livestock

• Fier and Korça lead in cattle farming.
• Vlora and Gjirokastra account for 15% of the total sheep population.

The sharp decline in livestock has led to a decrease in domestic meat and milk production. Farmers complain about:

• Unfair pricing policies,
• Market instability,
• Lack of government support for the sector.

As a result, the livestock industry is facing serious challenges, raising concerns about Albania’s ability to meet its domestic demand for meat and dairy products in the coming years.