August 21, 2006

Russian pig, sheep numbers up, while cow numbers down

The number of pigs in Russia Aug 1 was 15.7 million, an increase of 6.9 percent, compared with Aug 1 2005, while the number of cows in the country fell by 4.9 percent to 9.6 million, the agriculture ministry said in a statement Monday (Aug 21).

The number of sheep and goats Aug 1 was 21 million, 4.1 percent more than Aug 1 2005.

Pig breeding is expanding in Russia, with considerable investment going into new farms, while the cattle industry is declining as it has become less profitable than pig rearing.

Russia's total slaughter of cattle, pigs and poultry for meat in January-July increased by 3.9 percent, compared with the corresponding period last year, to 3.7 million tonnes.