Farmed Animals Numbers Drop In Europe As Meat Production Falls

A new report from Eurostat shows a decline in the production of meat and the numbers of farmed animals in Europe between 2003 and 2023. The number of sheep and goats has dropped by 22 percent, pigs by nearly 15 percent, and cows raised for meat by nine percent. Production of meat from pigs hit its peak in 2021 but dropped by 11.8 percent in 2023, the lowest level in 15 years.

Despite the overall decline in meat production, the production of chicken meat increased by 2.3 percent from 2022 to 2023. This reflects a larger trend of falling meat consumption among Europeans, with half reporting a reduction in their meat intake. Demand for meat is decreasing, with plant-based meat and milk sales on the rise as consumers are motivated by health, animal welfare, and environmental concerns.