Imports of sheep and goats to Azerbaijan increased by 65 per cent, reasons...

Imports of live sheep and goats to Azerbaijan experienced a substantial 64 percent increase last year, as stated by the State Statistics Committee. In 2022, a total of 194,573 heads of sheep and goats were imported, amounting to $15,909 thousand. This figure represents a 64.6 percent increase in volume (76,428 additional heads) and a 43.65 percent increase in value ($4,833 thousand) compared to 2021.

During 2021, the country imported 11,076 heads of sheep and goats for $118,145 thousand, with an import price of $93.8. However, in 2022, the import price dropped by 13 percent to $81.8.

The dependency on sheep imports has raised concerns about the state of sheep farming in Azerbaijan. Despite the drop in import prices, the price of mutton has increased by 20 percent in the past year.

The Ministry of Agriculture informed Turan that currently there are 14 gene pools in Azerbaijan intended for sheep breeding, and it is planned to increase their number. The ministry has supported the development of breeding cores for sheep breeds such as "Gala," "Garabagh," "Garadolag," and "Bozag" within a short timeframe.

To improve local breeds, the Research Institute of Animal Husbandry imported sheep breeds such as "Il de France," "Suffolk," "Lacon," "Merino landscape" from Europe, and "Hisar" from Tajikistan. These breeds were crossed with local sheep on farms, resulting in initial hybrids. The ministry's goal is to raise both dairy and meat sheep.

The ministry emphasized the interdependence of sheep and agriculture in the development of sheep farming. They believe that the development of sheep farming can be achieved by utilizing agriculture in the liberated territories.

Last year, a total of 329,166 small cattle, 23,794 cattle, and 831 other animals (horses, dogs, donkeys, etc.) were relocated and provided pasture in the liberated territories.

Agriculture expert Vahid Maharramli, in an interview with Radio Azadlig, expressed concern about the situation in sheep farming, explaining this by the conversion of pastures for cattle breeding.  Approximately 400,000 hectares of pasture have been converted, depriving sheep breeders of suitable grazing areas.

Maharramli questioned why the problem exists when the liberated territories, which have been available for nearly two years, could have been used. Although around 100,000 hectares of forested areas have been planted, there is still potential to utilize these fields for sheep grazing, thus increasing meat production without relying on imports.

According to the economist, a small amount of frozen sheep meat is imported into the country: "This has no effect on prices due to low volume."