In the second half of 2025, the gross indigenous production (GIP) of bovine animals in the European Union (EU) will reach 12.1 million heads, representing a 2.1% increase compared to the 11.9 million animals produced in the same period in 2024. This growth comes amid more moderate expectations in other livestock production sectors. On the other hand, sheep production will experience a significant decline, with a 7% decrease compared to the same semester of the previous year, reaching approximately 14.5 million heads. However, goat production will also show a modest increase of 1.7%, reaching 2.4 million heads.
In the pork sector, projections for the last quarter of 2025 warn of a 2.7% decrease, with an estimated total of 57.1 million pigs, compared to the same period in 2024. France remains the largest producer of beef in the EU, accounting for 22% of the total production. However, it is expected that their production will suffer a 1.6% decrease, reaching 2.6 million heads. Nevertheless, other countries such as Germany, Spain, and Ireland will experience increases in their production levels, with Spain standing out with a significant 17.4% increase, reaching 1.2 million heads.
Regarding pig production, estimates indicate that Spain will produce around 12 million pigs in the fourth quarter of 2025, which would correspond to approximately 21% of the EU total, although this represents a 9% decrease compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. Decreases in production are also anticipated in Denmark and France, while Germany and the Netherlands will show slight increases.
As for sheep farming, production in Spain is expected to decrease by 14.6% in the second half of 2025, a figure that is double the reduction rate at the EU level. Despite this drop, Spain will continue to be the main producer, contributing more than a quarter of the total EU production. In terms of goat production, Greece leads with a projection of 1 million heads, while Spain will reach 0.6 million, representing a 12% increase compared to the same semester of 2024.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
