Sheep farmers in Russia face serious problems in the industry

According to expert Elena Osychkina, statistics show a decrease in the number of sheep and goats since 2015. As of early October of this year, their number was 21 million 986.4 thousand heads, which is 98.2% less than in the previous year. The reduction in the livestock has been going on for several years, and this worries sheep farmers.

One of the reasons for such a decrease in interest in sheep farming is insufficient attention from the state and the public. Unlike other livestock industries, such as pig farming, poultry farming and cattle , sheep farming does not receive due recognition and support. Sheep farmers believe that it is necessary to develop an interdepartmental target program for the development of the industry and processing of products.

One of the main problems faced by sheep farmers is the unprofitability of wool production. Lamb prices continue to rise, while the cost of wool is falling, and demand for it on the domestic market remains low. Wool production requires large resources and constant investment, which makes it unprofitable for sheep farmers.

Therefore, the National Union of Sheep Breeders proposes to introduce increased customs duties on wool imports to stimulate domestic production and support the industry. This will allow sheep farmers to focus on increasing the production of meat and other products that are in greater demand on the market.

However, in addition to introducing duties, it is also necessary to take comprehensive measures to develop sheep farming as a whole. This may include the creation of specialized farms, training sheep farmers in modern methods and technologies, as well as support in the field of marketing and product promotion.

It is important to understand that sheep farming has the potential for development and brings not only meat , but also other valuable products, such as wool. The right attention and support from the state will help sheep farmers overcome current difficulties and restore the industry in Russia.